Guardiola adds ‘new Messi’ to Man City squad

Robin Bairner

• 27 Feb 2025 12:55 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester City’s first-team squad welcomed its newest member on Thursday as Pep Guardiola’s roster was bolstered by a new face.

Claudio Echeverri signed for City in 2024 for around €15 million but had been on loan with River Plate in 2024 before captaining Argentina at the 2025 South American Championship, delaying his arrival at the Etihad Stadium.

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The 19-year-old was present on Thursday for the first time, having been assigned the No.30 shirt for the remainder of the season.

Manager Guardiola is set to assess the winger over the course of the next few months, but the expectation is that he will be moved on loan next season, with Girona a potential destination as they are also owned by the City Football Group.

“He is going to start to train,” Guardiola said on Tuesday. “Maybe for the end of the season, maybe for the Club World Cup and as soon as he arrives he can adapt quick for the future.”

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A clamour to see Echeverri play

City fans have grown increasingly frustrated at seeing their young prospects thrive at other clubs and there is a desire to see Echeverri, who has regularly been branded the ‘new Lionel Messi’, get significant first-team minutes as rapidly as possible.

Cole Palmer represents the starkest example of a player who has shone since leaving Man City, with the England international have carried Chelsea offensively for the course of the last 18 months.

Similarly, Liam Delap is now shining with Ipswich Town, and while City do possess a buy-back clause in the striker’s deal, Chelsea are ready to go “all in” to sign the 22-year-old in the summer.

After beating Chelsea, Barcelona and PSG to Echeverri, the level of expectation on the youngster’s shoulders at Man City is high, but Guardiola is ready to be patient with the big prospect.