Sergio Aguero was relegated to the bench for Manchester City’s win over Swansea City.
Should Manchester City sell Sergio Aguero?
We put our writers on the case…
Alam Khan and Matt Monaghan debate whether it’s time for City to let him go.
What are your thoughts?
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Alam Khan says YES
Ever since he stepped off the bench in August, 2011, to mark his Manchester City debut with two goals, Sergio Aguero has been feted by the club’s followers – and deservedly so. In helping City win long-desired trophies, his efforts have often been memorable and magnificent.
Currently 23 goals shy of Eric Brook’s mark of 177, he is closing in on being the most prolific scorer in their history, breaking a record which has stood since 1940.
Lethal and a legend.
But with the same opponents on debut, Swansea City, at the Etihad on Sunday, Aguero cut a forlorn figure on the bench, left out for a second successive game.
Not for injury issues which have long hindered the Argentine and arguably prevented him from rivalling Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for individual honours, but tactical reasons.
Gabriel Jesus' stoppage time winner pic.twitter.com/8159oOp2Zf
— åbdî (@abdirahmanali96) February 5, 2017
Yet there was no outcry from fans, no chants deriding Pep Guardiola’s decision.
For this is a brave new world under the Catalan, embracing and encouraging youth in a fast-paced attacking style which does not play to Aguero’s strengths.
City have a new striking saviour and in Gabriel Jesus they trust. He ticks all the boxes for Pep and there is a raw, refreshing dynamism in tandem with Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling.
At 28, perhaps it is too late for Aguero to change and adapt, perhaps an unwillingness too. Too good to be a sub, though, it is time to look at his options in the summer and for City to sell. He is iconic, but not irreplaceable.
So before he fulfils a dream of ending his career with boyhood heroes Independiente, he should consider one last challenge at the top level.
Coveted for so long by Real Madrid, he is tailor-made for Zinedine Zidane’s side, a rampaging bull, a predatory finisher of the highest calibre, a worthy Galactico to stand alongside Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Just like MSN over at Barcelona, Aguero would certainly raise the BAR at Real.
Matt Monaghan says NO
Gabriel Jesus’ impact at Manchester City has been dramatic, but the time to pass the baton from Sergio Aguero is still to come. Make no mistake, the Argentina forward continues to merit his spot as the main man at the Etihad Stadium. Such a talent should never be dispensed with, and certainly not with haste.
The January arrival of Jesus has pushed him to the sidelines. Yet even recent history shows the scale of his continuing achievements. It was only last April that Aguero became the second-fastest player to score 100 Premier League goals. Only Alan Shearer bettered him.
But if you review minutes per goal among the competition’s alumni, Aguero is streets ahead. Of the men in the ‘100 Club’, Aguero’s current rate after 113 scored is 109.2, with second-placed Arsenal great Thierry Henry at 121.8. His enduring quality is also shown by the fact his 11 strikes in 17 Premier League appearances this term come in at 121.9 minutes per goal.
Sergio Aguero doesn’t sound too convinced about his Manchester City future 🤔 pic.twitter.com/hiXACzX7VQ
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 5, 2017
Such achievements make ‘Kun’ unquestionably world class. With such few players in this stratum, would it be wise to sell a superstar who would unquestionably significantly strengthen any suitor?
Already as a teenager, Jesus is exhibiting he can reach that level. What better way to further accelerate his rapid growth by keeping Aguero and letting his understudy learn from him?
There is also the ongoing Lionel Messi dream at City. Any chance to attract the Barcelona hurricane to Manchester would be helped by having his best friend in football at the team.
In City’s 137-year history, only midfielders Colin Bell and Yaya Toure possess equal claims to be considered as its finest-ever player.
A tally of 154 goals in 234 matches is outstanding, while at 28-years old there is still plenty of time for him to conjure another iconic moment to join the ‘Aguuuueeerrrrroooo’ strike which sealed the 2011/12 Premier League title.
