'They've got a special one there': Owen Hargreaves heaps praise on Julian Alvarez

Owen Hargreaves has praised Manchester City striker Julian Alvares as '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.

Having arrived at the club this summer from River Plate, for a fee of £20m, Alvarez has largely lived under the shadow of landmark signing Erling Haaland.

But Hargreaves was 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.'

It was indeed his work rate that helped him recover the ball just outside of the Sevilla box, and tee up Lewis for the first.

'He hits the ball exceptionally even with his left foot,' Hargreaves added. 'He hits it really clean. A lot of guys are obviously dominant with one foot but I don’t think he has any real weaknesses.'

There's no doubt he'll be in contention with Haaland for the centre-forward position in the near future, but on comparing the two Lescott noted a clear difference in how the two play.

He said: 'The difference between him and Haaland is that he doesn't have the aerial presence. So balls can't be lofted into the box.

'They have to be slid down the side to defenders. And his runs. All his movements and understanding of the runs are all there, along with his decision-making.'