Julian Alvarez is quietly making Man City's Phil Foden decision harder to manage

Julian Alvarez was often the first Manchester City player to be dropped last season, back-up to Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland and only getting a chance when one wasn't selected. With De Bruyne injured this season, and two experienced departures in attacking midfield, Alvarez has stepped up in the early stages of this season, starting all four competitive games so far. He was the matchwinner against Newcastle, but it was Phil Foden who stole the headlines.

Alvarez has quietly impressed in his dual-number ten role, with it suiting his qualities perfectly. He won the penalty that Erling Haaland missed, had a number of efforts himself, and was effective linking the midfield to attack as Bernardo Silva floated around off the right. When Phil Foden came on, Alvarez should have scored but missed the target in his only blemish on another good outing.

Rodri may get the headlines for his winner, while Foden's cameo got them back in front after the Sheffield United equaliser, but this was another game where Alvarez proved his worth just under the radar. When Guardiola decides whether to go with Bernardo or Foden (or Jeremy Doku), Alvarez is becoming a player who can't afford to be dropped.

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Last weekend, Phil Foden was heralded for his impressive performance at number ten against Newcastle, but he was benched against Sheffield United with Bernardo replacing him in the same role as City deployed the same system.

Foden was aided by Kyle Walker's width and Julian Alvarez's industry against Newcastle, and those two helped make the system work in Yorkshire. Bernardo was busy as ever in the spaces between the full-back and centre-back. For Foden, though, after finding