The arrival of Claudio Echeverri at Manchester City sparked great excitement among both Argentine and English fans and media. However, the young talent from River Plate has had anything but a promising start. Months after his move, the “Diablito” has yet to make his official debut and hasn’t even been named on the bench for the first team.

Despite training regularly under Pep Guardiola, Echeverri has not played a single minute. This situation has fueled speculation in the British press, especially after comments made by Sam Lee, a journalist for The Athletic. On his podcast Let Me Talk, Lee responded bluntly when asked about the Argentine’s status: “Please forget about Echeverri. He’s never going to play.”

River Plate star in danger at Manchester City: Early exit on the horizon?

What once seemed like a golden opportunity for the 18-year-old could soon turn into a premature departure. Lee even joked that the signing may have been more business-driven than sporting: “Maybe they signed him to sell him to Como for €25 million in a few years.” This wouldn’t be the first time City has followed such a path. Máximo Perrone, for example, was sent on loan to the Italian side after failing to break into the first team.

Although Echeverri is under contract until 2028 and cost the club around €24 million, his adaptation seems to be stalled. Reports from England claim the attacking midfielder is “still too raw” to compete at the top level and that a loan spell may be the only realistic option for him to get minutes and stay on track developmentally.

In his official presentation, Echeverri expressed excitement about the new challenge and shared advice he received from Martín Demichelis, his former coach at River. “I’m very happy to be here. Now it’s time to learn, enjoy myself, and play, which is what I love the most,” said the youngster, who also stressed the importance of connecting with his teammates and learning the language.

After a brilliant U-17 World Cup —where he scored five goals, including a hat-trick against Brazil— “Diablito” still has room to turn things around. However, his case is starting to mirror that of many South American prospects who, despite big-money transfers, have to seek playing time away from the clubs that signed them.

For now, Echeverri’s future at Manchester City remains a mystery.