Enforced Man City changes have produced new unsung heroes for Pep Guardiola

Manchester City's incredible success last season was far removed from the tiki-taka world that was once associated with Pep Guardiola.

On the way to winning the Treble, the manager picked four big central defenders across his backline to complement a unit in front of them and an imposing No.9 up front to bang the goals in. Everybody knew what to expect but stopping it proved too difficult for the best teams in England and Europe.

City's manager regularly evolves the team to stay one step ahead of opponents, but injuries have also forced his hand in the opening months of this season. Losing Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez in the summer and Kevin De Bruyne not long after to long-term injury saw the team lose unique qualities, while Rodri's suspension removed the anchor from the XI.

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Consecutive league defeats for the first time in five years have rather taken the shine off the start, but City are two points off the top of the Premier League after eight games and with the initiative in their Champions League group. They have only done that because others have stepped up.

Julian Alvarez, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Kyle Walker have all been integral to City maintaining their level this season, and the common theme is their versatility and flexibility. All four have been able to play in multiple positions not just from game to game but also within matches themselves.

Alvarez has had the most attention thanks to his six goals and four assists - the most goal involvements of any player in the team. The 23-year-old is playing nominally because De Bruyne