Afforded a first start by Pep Guardiola after his return from the Qatar showpiece, the 22-year-old proved a constant thorn in Chelsea’s side.
His first-half penalty capped a marvellous performance which again highlighted the drive and appetite for success which have been the hallmark of Alvarez’s first six months at City.
And, speaking on our latest edition of Matchday Live, special guest Dickov described Alvarez as an ‘absolute nuisance’ for opposition defences given his prodigious work ethic.
“Julian’s work rate is sensational. I would love to see his running stats as he just doesn’t stop,” said the former City and Scotland striker.
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“He’s an absolute nuisance for centre halves and goalkeepers as he doesn’t give them a minute’s peace!
“I was delighted he got his goal and delighted that he got the 90 minutes under his belt.
“After the elation of winning the World Cup with Argentina and being away for a bit he would have wanted to get back and get out on the pitch.
“So, to see him get his goal and get 90 minutes under his belt was great and I thought he was outstanding.
“We talk about the high City press; Julian sets it off all the time.
“That’s the way Pep wants us to play. He wants us to press high all the time whether it’s through Julian or Erling (Haaland) or even the both of them
“He’ll be delighted and ever since he came to the Club people can’t speak highly enough about him given how hard he trains and how hard he works.”
Meanwhile, fellow Matchday Live special guest Michael Brown said a 40 minute second half appearance from the bench for Kalvin Phillips only augured well looking ahead to the a demanding second half of the season.
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Having joined City from Leeds in the summer, the first few months of the England international’s City career saw him side-lined by a shoulder operation.
However, having been part of England’s World Cup squad at Qatar last month, the holding midfielder came on early in the second half in the FA Cup win over Chelsea and immediately caught the eye.
He is also in contention to figure against Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
And former City midfielder Brown believes Phillips will prove to be an important figure for City looking ahead.
“I’ve seen Kalvin Phillips from a youngster at Leeds when he was coming though, the potential he had,” Brown revealed.
“We’ve talked about the positions he can play and that experience of coming to City has been a change for him and he’s had those injuries.
“But I feel going forward he’ll be really important for City as he can play in so many different positions and he’s a great character.
“It’s important he got those minutes for going into the Southampton game. That was a really good amount and I think we’ll see an interesting performance and one that we have been waiting for.
“I think if you look at him as a full international, he was voted player of the year for England in 2021 and he was a mainstay for England.
“That is what we’ve got to understand, and I think he’s got everything.
“Of course, it’s tough when you look at the midfield City have. But I think for a period of time we could such a strong midfield with maybe Rodri and Phillips playing together with someone like Kevin De Bruyne– there are many ways to do it.
“And if you want to get extra support at the top of the pitch you might need a more defensive minded midfield.”
