‘He’s a special guy’: Pep Guardiola, Pundits heaps praise on Man City star after MOTM performance against Sevilla

Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez compared to Gabriel Jesus and lebelled ‘special’ following his MOTM performance during their 3-1 Champions League win on Wednesday night.

The 22-year-old, who has scored five times in 17 matches for City this season, was the orchestrator of his side’s comeback, teeing up 17-year-old Rico Lewis with an inch-perfect pass to draw City back into the game at 1-1.

The Argentinian then found the back of the net himself, rounding Sevilla goalkeeper, Bono, to give Pep Guardiola’s side the lead, before linking up with Riyad Mahrez, who sealed the win for the Citizens.

It earned him an embrace from manager Pep Guardiola and transformed what was threatening to be a frustrating night for a City team that trailed to Rafa Mir’s goal at halftime.

Guardiola said after the game that he was just as pleased as Alvarez’s contributions off the ball as he was with the goal, likening his current striker to his number nine from last season – Jesus.

“I would say not one person who is not happy for him,” Guardiola said.

“He’s a special guy, with his work ethic. He reminds me a bit of Gabriel, how aggressive without the ball. He’s played Leicester and today and not easy to find space, he got the reward he deserved.”

Owen Hargreaves was also quick to pay tribute to the young forward, who has embedded well into Guardiola’s system and looks to be a real up-and-coming prospect.

‘It’s like when you go from your club, to your national team, to England, it’s just a different level,’ Hargreaves told BT Sport. ‘I think, obviously, he’s been fabulous in Argentina.

‘He [Alvarez] is a steal for what they paid for him. He’s worth at least double or treble that.

‘And if it wasn’t for Haaland he’d be starting a lot more. They’ve got a special one there.’

The striker has already scored twice in the Champions League and also has two goals in the Premier League, but it is his contributions around the field that Joleon Lescott, also on punditry after the match, was so enamoured by.

‘I think if you take his performances and contributions in isolation he’s done really well,’ the former City and Everton defender said.

‘But when you put them next to Haaland who’s a similar age, obviously similar position, it doesn’t match up.

‘But for what he’s done coming form a new continent, language and culture and change I know having spoken to Sergio [Aguero] on his arrival, he likened Alvarez to Carlos Tevez, and that’s a big compliment.

‘But you can see it in his game, elements of both, you can see his work rate for the team off the ball but he’s a natural finisher.

‘I also think he’s able to compose himself in the box which is not something you can teach.’