Pep Guardiola has Julian Alvarez puzzle to solve for Man City

The last three domestic matches have shown that Rodri is Manchester City’s most important player in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, but perhaps Julian Alvarez has been the most surprising so far.

Not only because of his quality - his World Cup winner’s medal and Treble triumph say enough - but because of the position he has been asked to play. The 23-year-old operated as the supporting striker a handful of times for River Plate and Pep Guardiola has already tasked him with the role 10 times this season, the same amount as the whole of last term.

He’s also scored the same number of goals in the role as last year (five), meaning we shouldn’t be too stunned that he can flourish there. But it is who he is being chosen over that is intriguing.

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Phil Foden has often explained how the No.10 role is his favourite and perhaps to many, he would have been the most natural choice having come through the youth ranks and won the Under-17 World Cup in the position.

Of course, Jack Grealish was a traditional No.10 at Aston Villa while Bernardo Silva can and has played there for City. Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes also possess the ability, albeit less frequently than their teammates.

Alvarez has not only got the nod of faith from Pep Guardiola in the position but has thrived in it, assisting four goals and hammering home six of his own - all but one as the supporting striker. There is a future problem that needs solving, though.

The Argentine has shown his versatility centrally but struggled out on the right against Arsenal. Perhaps Guardiola was influenced by the two he got against Nottingham Forest from there last season