Julian Alvarez says he is happy to play anywhere in order to help the team.

The Manchester City forward has started every Premier League match so far this season ahead of the home clash with Burnley on Wednesday night at 19:30 (UK).

Alvarez, who turns 24 on Wednesday, has often played as a deeper striker with Erling Haaland but with injury ruling out the Norwegian since early December, he has taken on the role of the number nine.

With 13 goals and 10 assists in his 31 appearances in all competitions, the Argentinian has made a key contribution to the team scoring goals.

“Personally, I’m feeling really good,” he said. “Since Erling’s injury I’ve been playing more as a number nine but I think the most important thing is getting a lot of minutes in – whether that’s as a striker or a little deeper, a bit further back.

“The most important thing is being on the pitch, that’s what I enjoy the most and after that if I can help the team with goals and assists from that position, then even better.

“Playing so many minutes helps your teammates to have confidence in you, having played more together, to make assists, to score goals. That’s helped me a lot.

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“Of course, you always want to be in the starting eleven. Last season was my first, I think that I did well but there was also some integration and when it was my turn to play, I tried to give my all for the team.

“I hope it can be the same this year, gaining minutes and giving my all to help the team.”

Haaland will be back with the squad when former City captain Vincent Kompany bring the Clarets to the Etihad Stadium as we look to extend our winning streak to eight games.

And Kevin De Bruyne is moving closer to his first start since August as he continues to regain his full match sharpness.

Without the pair and other key figures of recent years who left in the summer, Alvarez says it shows the strength of the squad how we have continued to maintain our challenge for trophies.

“Every season has its special elements, every season is different, but of course the objective that we set ourselves is the same as the one we were able to achieve last season,” he said.

“We hope to be able to do it again. I think that we’re in a good position – the main objective of the first half of the season is to be there or thereabouts in every competition, if not first then at least close.

“There are still a lot of games to play through these decisive months and we’ll try to have a good run-in to win every trophy again.

“Some important players have left who had been here at the club for a long time. I think the emphasis is on trying to do what we have been doing – beyond the names, the structure and desire is always the same.

“I think we’ve been doing that well, challenging in every competition and now with Kevin’s return, and Erling’s soon, they are two very important players for us in facing everything that’s coming up this season.”