Three winners and four losers from Man City's Premier League season so far

Alvarez still divides opinion as a Manchester City player but he continues to have a knack for being involved in goals for successful teams. Two goals and an assist is a pretty tidy return from the four games thus far.

More important than that though is that he's been named in the XI for all four Premier League games. That has perhaps been helped by Kevin De Bruyne's injury but is still proof that Pep Guardiola deems Alvarez too influential to leave on the bench. It's a sign of progress, it took until January 19 last year before the Argentine had four starts in the league to his name and he never managed four in a row.

Matheus Nunes only adds to the competition in midfield and Phil Foden will also want to keep up his game time, but given Alvarez knows Erling Haaland is immovable from the front line it is to his credit that he is now finding a way into the team regardless.

ALSO READ: Nathan Ake gives Man City boost after injury scare

The biggest compliment that can be paid to Kovacic is that he looks like he has been playing in this City team for a lot longer than he has. It helps that he carries experience not just from Croatia but also from Chelsea, but instantly adapting into a Guardiola side is not something anyone can take for granted.

Rodri has started the campaign with more goals and assists and that may in a small part be down to the added protection he now feels he has in the side with Kovacic willing to drop deep to start moves. In the absence of John Stones pushing forward into midfield, City haven't needed to rely too much on Manu Akanji because Kovacic and Rodri have already formed such an effective partnership.

It's easy to forget that Walker was not seen as essential to the team in the second half of