Ben It seems crazy to say but Sergio Aguero’s time at Manchester City could be up come the end of the season.
He might be the third in Manchester City’s all-time scoring charts but Pep Guardiola is not afraid of making big decisions.
The former Barcelona boss has left Aguero out of his starting XI on occasions and with Gabriel Jesus and Kelechi Iheanacho snapping at the Argentine’s heels, are his days in Manchester numbered?
Here’s our argument for why Guardiola should keep faith with the 28-year-old…
Proven track record
Since arriving in 2011, Aguero has banged in 161 goals in all competitions to sit third on Manchester City’s all-time list of goalscorers.
But while Eric Brook sits top with 177 and Tommy Johnson has 166, the amount of time Aguero has reached his amount puts everything into perspective.
Brook spent 13 years at City while Johnson was at the club for a decade. Aguero is in just his sixth season, and yes they play more games nowadays but still!
Plus, Aguero is the scorer of arguably the most important goal in the club’s history. Yes, you know the one…
Age on his side
Despite seemingly having all the cash to splash he could ever want, Guardiola is in charge of an aging Manchester City squad.
Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Nolito, Aleksandar Kolarov, Jesus Navas, David Silva, Gael Clichy, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure are all outfield players over the age of 30.
At 28 Aguero doesn’t look like he has lost any of the pace and power that makes him such a dangerous striker.
And yes Jesus and Iheanacho look like they will have long and successful careers as goal-getters, but Aguero shouldn’t be counted out any time soon.
Rivals will circle
The Premier League is one of – if not the – hardest divisions to win.
Just ask giants Manchester United, City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham who could only watch as Leicester performed miracles last season.
And the one thing you don’t want to do is make your rivals stronger by giving them your best players.
Arsenal learned that the hard way when Robin van Persie switched the Emirates for Old Trafford and helped Manchester United to another Premier League title.
The money in the Premier League means that other teams are often the only ones that can match such high wages, so Manchester City would be foolish to strengthen one of the adversaries.
Tactically astute
Since arriving on English shores Aguero has always been about speed and movement in and around the penalty area, with his predatory instincts more often than not followed by accomplished finishing.
But Aguero has been tasked by Guardiola with offering more than merely a goal threat, with his manager’s tactics being about the sum of the parts and not just star players.
Aguero has responded by harrying defenders and making a nuisance of himself when he doesn’t have the ball.
And, as he still hasn’t lost his keen eye for goal, Guardiola would be foolish to ship the Argentine out now.
