Sergio Aguero is a “mix of Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi” according to Manchester City team-mate Bacary Sagna. And the full-back believes the Etihad outfit’s lethal weapon has the opposition running scared again as he proves to be key to City’s hopes of success this season.
After returning from more injury problems, Aguero looks a lot sharper with two of his 11 goals coming in the last four games, and denied more only by resilient Everton defending and the heroics of keeper Tim Howard in Wednesday’s goalless Premier League draw.
His third-placed side face Crystal Palace on Saturday with Sagna convinced the Argentine striker has the attributes of the game’s attacking greats.
“To me, he is a mix of Henry and Messi,” said the Frenchman, also a former team-mate of Henry’s at Arsenal and the national team.
“In smaller spaces Sergio manages to keep the ball well. He showed against Norwich [in the FA Cup] that he can be quite tricky and selfish to score that goal.He is one key player for us. He’s done it a lot in the past and he can do it again.
“He has that difference, ability, to make him a top, top striker. He’s unbelievable.
“Some players will say he doesn’t score enough this time, but other teams aren’t stupid – they give him more attention, they bring more players around him. We have to find another solution to help him. Maybe we have to step up and other players have to show more character to try and score themselves.”
With nine goals already, and just two shy of his best-ever season’s tally at Liverpool, Raheem Sterling could be one of those players, but the frontman was left frustrated against the Toffees when denied an injury-time penalty after being brought down by John Stones.
“I don’t get those,” he said afterwards.
And having also seen a strong claim by Jesus Navas rejected a week earlier in the 2-1 League Cup semi-final first-leg loss at Everton, and Aguero angry when similarly turned down at title rivals Leicester after a Gokhan Inler challenge, Sagna admits it is damaging City’s pursuit of trophies.
“It’s not the first time,” he added of the penalty pain. “In the beginning we didn’t say anything, but now…
“It was the case against Leicester with Aguero [as well]. The whole team are being unfairly treated. I don’t know why because it isn’t the first time it’s happened this season.
“What do we have to do to win a penalty if we get the touch in the box? When it’s against us, it’s clearly a penalty and we’re punished straight away.
“Mistakes are natural, they’re (officials) human beings, but at the end of the day we’re not getting the penalties – against Everton, Leicester and many other games. It can be a problem.
“I don’t want to blame the referees because he’s the only man on the pitch, but maybe have someone behind the goal.”
