It has been a whirlwind of a week for Max Alleyne. After Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias sustained serious injuries in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, the young centre-back was recalled from loan spell at Watford and returned to Manchester City. Alleyne was thrown straight into City’s starting lineup for their past two matches against Brighton and Exeter City.. Max Alleyne has been given an opportunity to impress and he is seizing it with both hands. The way Alleyne has handled a big week speaks volumes about his character and talent and it could be the making of him as a player.
Max Alleyne is playing a crucial role for Manchester City at the moment.
With Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol sidelined, Manchester City needed another centre-back. Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake were the only two recognised centre-backs in Pep Guardiola’s squad with John Stones also injured. City made the decision to recall Max Alleyne from his loan spell at Watford. Alleyne went out on loan this season to play in the Championship to further his development as a defender. Alleyne was highly regarded at City, but he did need to improve his work in aerial duels and playing against seasoned professionals in the Championship was the ideal setting for him to do this. His loan spell at Watford only lasted six months before he returned to City. But Alleyne returned to City a more mature player and that has stood out in his past two appearances.
There was no time for Max to settle in slowly to his role in Pep Guardiola’s side. He was thrown straight into the fray against Brighton and Exeter City. He started both matches and immediately showed his talent and defensive acumen. On the ball, Alleyne resembles John Stones with his poise and passing ability. Defensively he has been solid and looks every bit a City defender.. His form has been that impressive it would not be a surprise if he starts tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg against Newcastle United at St. James Park. That game will be a test for City, and one for Alleyne. But Alleyne looks to be a player who will adapt and embrace such a challenge.
Max Alleyne is enjoying being back at City and is excited by the challenge.
In an interview with Simon Bajkowski which was published in the Manchester Evening News, Max Alleyne is enjoying the challenge of being back at City. He admitted it had been a whirlwind week returning to the club from Watford, but he is enjoying being thrust into a prominent role in Pep Guardiola’s squad. He explained: “*I’ve really enjoyed it. Last week’s been kind of crazy, but I’ve really enjoyed every second I’ve been back and, yes, it was good to win today, so that’s the main thing.*”
“*Obviously Wednesday (the 1-all draw with Brighton) was disappointing with the result but, from my side of things, I think good but can always be better. There are little things that I look at with the coaches and stuff like that. I’m always trying to improve.*”
“The last week has been crazy. Of course I enjoyed it [at Watford] but this is the biggest club in the world, in my opinion, so when they say you’re coming back, that was it. I enjoyed it and that was that.”
Summary.
Max Alleyne has impressed in his two starts with Manchester City since returning to the club from Watford. His ability to adapt to a whirlwind week speaks volumes about his character and couple that with his talent as a player, City could have a special player on their hands. Alleyne has seized the opportunity on offer to him and he does loom as an important player for City for the foreseeable future given the injury situation in Manchester City’s defence.