The absence of Riyad Mahrez from a Manchester City starting 11 very rarely throws up much debate, but that is seemingly starting to change.
Despite leading the way in City's goal charts, Mahrez perhaps finds himself overlooked when it comes to being one of the first names on the teamsheet.
In fact, he is arguably so overlooked that in the 3-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva all featured for spells in the right-wing position before Mahrez's 68th-minute introduction.
That cameo appearance almost proved to be fruitful for City as a successful stoppage-time spot-kick provided Mahrez an 18th goal in all competitions this season.
And it would have been enough to gain City an important point, had it not been for lacklustre defending to allow Harry Kane to score a late winner.
Eight of those 18 Mahrez strikes this season have come in the Premier League — despite the fact that he has started only 10 of City's 26 top-flight matches.
The winger has scored six times in seven Champions League games, a return that has contributed to him already achieving his best scoring year for the Blues with a third of the campaign still to play.
He is one of the most attacking threats available to Pep Guardiola yet he is often left to make an impact from the substitutes' bench rather than provide City with the strongest possible start.
It is no surprise to see, therefore, that Mahrez is sending Guardiola a clear big-game message that he can no longer ignore.
Choosing to leave Mahrez out is now forcing discussion among City fans as to whether he is being treated harshly by Guardiola.
Here is what some Manchester Evening News readers have had to say in response to an article about his role and importance:
Goatman: "Everyone apart from Pep knows that Sterling is better on the right, and all defences now know exactly what he and Mahrez are going to do. I was yelling sarcastically to Mahrez on Saturday "why don't you try coming inside on your left foot". I'm right footed and at 70 years I could play against Mahrez!"
Satstorm: "I am clearly and for a long time against all odds an admirer of Mahrez the football player. Today the reality has become obvious to all those who hated him. Why not! It's never too late to admit your mistake."
Supermanblue: "The stats speak for themselves. Mahrez has been one of the very limited number of City players who are scoring goals in double digits every single season. I do believe that he has been undervalued not only by city fans but also by Guardiola. We may not truly appreciate his worth and contribution to the team until and when he leaves the club wherever that might be. He is aesthetically a fantastic player to watch play."
Immaculate Mbaezue: "As much as I call him a lazy player the fact is that Mahrez deserves to be in our best 11 currently because he is the most clinical finisher we have right now, Ferran Torres was as good but he has left so Mahrez needs to be played in every big games till the end of the season until man city buys a proper striker."
Mostafa Bendacha: "I don't know why Guardiola changed the squad against Tottenham and did not rely on Mahrez."
Kalil Zx: "Stop rotation during important games. It cost us champions league final and pep still with this mentality. Play your best eleven in every single game and make changes only in cups let your best 11 know each others tactics really well. Madrid made this for about 8 years and they won 4 champions league during that period."
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