Julian Alvarez has golden Man City opportunity over next three games

Anticipation is growing for the start of the season now that Manchester City are back in training - perhaps more so because fans don't yet know who has reported back for pre-season.

Normally, clubs are keen to make up for a lack of summer engagement online with as much back-to-training content as possible. City have put nothing out this week, despite the squad reconvening on Monday. On Wednesday, they fly out to Japan for the first leg of their tour, with a strong squad expected to arrive in Tokyo to take on Yokohama and Bayern Munich.

One player unlikely to travel is Kevin De Bruyne, who is recovering from his hamstring injury that finally gave way in the Champions League final. If City were going to lose De Bruyne for a number of weeks, the off-season and pre-season tour is the ideal time, reducing the number of competitive games he is likely to miss to single figures.

In his place, City will have to work out who takes his role in the team for the three friendlies, and then into the Community Shield against Arsenal. Julian Alvarez was the man often tasked with taking De Bruyne's role just behind Erling Haaland throughout the season, but it was Phil Foden who came on in the centre in Istanbul - to great effect.

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Foden could get the opportunity to continue evolving into a central midfielder, but it is Alvarez who could benefit most from De Bruyne's expected absence.

Not only would Alvarez get more opportunities in the 'number ten' role behind Haaland, he could also get time as the sole striker instead of Haaland.

City will be keen to manage Haaland's fitness, easing him back into action after a long season. Last summer, Haaland didn't