Being Argentinian - and a striker that has joined Manchester City - means there will be inevitable comparisons to two of the best former Blues – Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez.

But that wouldn’t be fair on any striker, because Tevez and Aguero were among the best forwards ever to play for the Club - and one of them is our all-time top goal-scorer!

Julian Alvarez begins life at City with a blank page and each chapter is yet to be written.

In fact, when he was unveiled to thousands of City fans at the Etihad Stadium in pre-season, he said, “I want to write my own history here,” – and that’s exactly what he intends to do.

"This is a team that has been playing in a certain way for a long time."

At 22, he is the same age as his new strike partner Erling Haaland, but it’s fair to say his arrival from River Plate was earned slightly less column inches in English newspapers and websites – but that is not a bad thing and, for a youngster who is shy, quiet, and humble, that probably suits him just fine.

Alvarez played twice on City’s US pre-season tour and showed glimpses against Club America and Bayern Munich of what is to come when he is fully settled to life in a new country and culture.

He is already settling into his new Manchester apartment and his family are with him, which will help him adapt and feel at home that much sooner.

The other good news is he already feels comfortable with the playing style at City.

"This is a team that has been playing in a certain way for a long time,” said Alvarez.

“I try to do what I've been doing with River, but with some changes.  It's a team that presses like we usually did in River.

“It's a little easier for me (in that respect). I feel comfortable playing this way. I'm going to continue training to the fullest to be available.

“I was very happy to play against Club America and Bayern and have the opportunity, to start with Manchester City and to play my first games.

“I will do my best to live up to the expectations.

“Pre-season was good. Every day I am training with my teammates, with Pep and all his assistants and getting to know them better.

“As I always do, I train in the best way I can. It is the first time that I am with Pep on the pitch, so I do my best to show my qualities and help my teammates.”                                                                     

"I will do my best to live up to the expectations."

And Guardiola has been impressed by what he’s seen so far.

“Julian was incredible defensively against Club America, like Gabriel Jesus,” said Pep.

“Gabriel is probably the best, but he is close in aggression and intuition, and with the ball he’s brilliant. He can keep it and you can link with him without a problem.

"We have the feeling we signed a top-class young player for the next years to come, and we are delighted."

“We have the feeling we signed a top-class young player for the next years to come, and we are delighted.

“The job Marcelo Gallardo did at River Plate, we have the benefit and we hope he can grow up in the Premier League.”

And having Sergio Aguero as a role model and mentor cannot be a bad thing.

Aguero will be a legend at City forever, and he said of Alvarez: "Julian is mature, over time he will continue to learn things, he is learning more and more, and Manchester City bought him for a reason.

“He is a good kid, he's a phenomenon, shy and quiet.”

Being called ‘a phenomenon’ by Aguero is encouraging to say the least, as Alvarez admits: “Yes, it is a joy, a pride, that Kun says these things about me.

“I shared good moments with him. I have good memories of him. He has helped me a lot. He is a good, very funny person, who has a nice relationship with everyone, especially with the younger ones.

“He has helped me a lot. Obviously, saying those things about me is an honour. It makes me want to kick on.

"Obviously, I grew up watching Kun. Also watching so many Argentinian players: Kun, either in Europe or in the national team; Higuaín; Messi. So many Argentinian players."

“Obviously, I grew up watching Kun. Also watching so many Argentinian players: Kun, either in Europe or in the national team; Higuaín; Messi. So many Argentinian players.

“Obviously, I try to imitate them or to get good things out of them. I always try to look to learn, to continue growing personally.

“They are players who have shown their quality in European football and in the Argentinian national team.”

But the last words go to his former manager at River Plate, Marcelo Gallardo, who was sad to lose a player of such promise, but equally delighted that he will have the chance at a club as big as City.

“He’s very centred. He’s a lad who doesn’t get caught up in this maelstrom of praise and everything that is said about him,” said Gallardo.

“Julian plays every game as if it were his first. That effort is contagious. Replacing Julian is difficult.

“Today he is a player of great status, he has had impressive growth, and that is why he is going to Manchester City.”