2020/2021 was an unlucky season for Sergio Aguero. The Argentine striker suffered an injury that forced him to miss a long period of time. Aguero suffered hamstring and knee injuries from October to November. Last February, the former Atletico Madrid striker was also infected with Corona.
In total, Aguero missed 75 days and 17 matches due to injury. The match against West Ham United on Saturday was Aguero’s first start in four months. He played 61 minutes in the match. Injuries reduced his playing time significantly. The 32-year-old forward is also facing an uncertain future at the Etihad. Aguero’s contract will expire in June. Due to injury, he has yet to show a performance trend that makes him deserving of a new contract.
British media reports said Pep Guardiola and the club wanted to extend Aguero’s contract. However, this extension entailed a large reduction in salary. The duration of the contract offered is only one year.
The Ending of Legendary’s Assault
Since moving in 2011, Aguero has become an important player at Etihad. Per season, he always recorded double digit goals. His 256 goals in 381 games cement his status as The Citizens’ all-time leading scorer.
The man who was born in Buenos Aires is the key figure in Manchester City’s success in the last decade. He repeatedly scored crucial goals amid City’s efforts to win four Premier League titles.
Aguero’s goals often lock City’s valuable three points against rival clubs. Against “The Big Six”, Aguero has scored 44 goals throughout his career. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are the two teams that Aguero has scored the most times against, 11 and 10 goals respectively.
After all, who can forget the most important goal in Manchester City history – Aguero’s goal against Queens Park Rangers on 13 May 2012? Aguero’s legacy is clear and the club will never forget his services. Earlier this season, Pep Guardiola seemed to still believe in him before his injury hit. Then, as 2020/21 ends, will Aguero be back at the forefront of City?
Pep’s men this season have various ways to score goals and do not depend on one particular figure. It can be said that Gabriel Jesus, Aguero’s long-term replacement, has not yet reached a level close to his senior. However, The Citizens are blessed with a myriad of capable attacking talents.
When Aguero was absent, Gabriel Jesus was often the spearhead. Apart from Jesus, Pep’s attacking midfielders and wingers have the ability to fill the number nine post with their respective roles. This season, Pep has experimented with playing Ferran Torres, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, to Kevin De Bruyne in the center striker position.
For matters of scoring goals, the former Barcelona coach is good at concocting effective attack methods. The most important thing for City is that there are players who position themselves in the penalty box and are ready to welcome opportunities, and that player does not have to be a central striker. This season, Ilkay Guendogan has often moved into the penalty box and scored many goals. A total of 11 goals (Premier League) have been scored by the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder, the highest among the City squad.
Apart from Guendogan, the wing attackers are still playing a good role. Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez are Man City’s second and third top scorers in the Premier League, scoring nine and six goals, respectively. Phil Foden, a young midfielder who continues to steal the show, has also bagged six goals.
In contrast, Gabriel Jesus, who plays as the main striker, has only scored four goals in the Premier League. These statistics show that Pep’s team always have a way of scoring goals without relying on a single figure at post no. 9. When Aguero left, City looked fine. They are currently topping the Premier League with a 12-point advantage. To get back into Pep’s top 11, the 32-year-old has to work hard after his recovery.
“He who plays is he who deserves to play. Not only for Sergio – it applies to everything. I’m trying to make a fair decision. “It’s only fair for one player so it’s not fair for other players,” said Pep Guardiola. Pep’s message is clear that there is no favoritism in his squad. Regardless of what Aguero has done in the past, the player has to show his worth in training and on the pitch.
This season, after six matches, the former Independiente striker has yet to score in the Premier League. His involvement in City’s creation of opportunities has also declined. Aguero recorded 2.22 shots per game in 2020/21, down from last season’s 3.16 shots per game.
Of course, the decline in performance was influenced by the lack of opportunities to appear due to injuries. The player has not had sufficient opportunity to show his capacity as an elite Premier League’s Striker.
Man City itself is still facing a tight schedule with participation in the English League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. Opportunities are still open for Aguero to prove himself in what might be his last season at Manchester City.
ASL
