Alves to show his real class

10:55am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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GARETH Southgate insists the best is yet to come from Middlesbrough's club record signing Afonso Alves.

The Brazil striker is beginning to show the kind of form which prompted Southgate to shell out £12.7m for his services in January.

Alves scored his first hat-trick in English football in Middlesbrough's 8-1 demolition of Manchester City on Sunday.

That brought Alves' tally to six goals in seven league starts for the Teessiders, having failed to score in his first eight appearances for the club.

However, Southgate insists the former Heerenveen forward has yet to prove his full worth in a red shirt, but is confident the 27-yearold will make a big impact in the Premier League next season.

"He has come here to show me what he can do but I think if we were being fair to the player he will only really start to produce his best next season," said Southgate.

"The Premier League is a difficult place to settle, and especially in the middle of a season, so I think we will start to see what Afonso can really offer us next season.

"He has certainly settled in very well and his goalscoring record is good.

"We did not get to see his best form this season and yet it has been very important to get him involved and playing.

"I think Afonso has been surprised by the raise in the intensity of everything in the Premier League.

"It is a lot faster than what he is used to and no disrespect to the Dutch League, but it is probably more competitive. That means it will take time adjusting, but he has settled down very well and we know there is a lot to come from him."

Up until putting three past Manchester City, the jury had been out.

And Southgate admitted: "£12million was a lot of money but I think he will score goals in the Premier League. You have seen what he can offer in the matches he has played so far."

As well as been encouraged by Alves' gradual improvement, Southgate is rubbing his hands at the differing styles of attacking talent he will have at his disposal come August.

"Next season we should have Mido, Jeremie Aliadiere, Tuncay and Alves all vying for places and that competition is vital if we are to move on," said Southgate.

"All the strikers give me different things and offer different alternatives.

"At times this season I can remember when we didn't have any strikers available at all so at least we have moved on from there.

"The fact that we will have more options up front will be significant."