Pep Guardiola has two options to make much-needed Man City change vs Luton

'Almost undroppable' was how Pep Guardiola described Julian Alvarez after the Argentinian registered two assists against West Ham following the September international break. He bagged two for himself against Crvena zvezda the following Tuesday and 'almost' became obsolete.

Alvarez has been the main beneficiary of Kevin De Bruyne's long-term absence, dropping into the role behind Erling Haaland and making it his own. That brace took him to four goals in eight games and by the time he jetted off for the November break, that total was up to seven with four assists to boot.

Since returning from South America for the third time of the season last month, those goal contributions have kept ticking over but the performances have not been as electric. Alvarez was central to City's attacking play in the opening weeks but has been closer to the periphery more recently.

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The 23-year-old was hooked on 67 minutes against Aston Villa on Wednesday, having failed to register a single shot on goal for only the second time all season. And with City heading to Luton Town on Sunday, Pep Guardiola might be minded to drop his undroppable.

Options are available for Guardiola to try something different in the advanced midfield role, and Phil Foden has been deployed there already this season. The 23-year-old has been the man to make things happen in recent weeks and was unfortunate not to have set up Haaland to open the scoring at Villa Park following a mazy run from wide.

Foden has been open about his enjoyment in a more central role, and City's inevitable dominance at Luton should alleviate