Aguero gets Pep’s seal of approval

a player who has excelled for years as a penaltybox poacher, Sergio Aguero found himself doing some unusual things in Manchester City’s final home game of the season.

When he wasn’t dropping deep to link up play, he was drifting out to the wing to leave space in the middle. He even took the option to pass instead of shoot.

This is a remodelled version of Aguero — and City manager Pep Guardiola wouldn’t want it any other way. Aguero didn’t score for City in its 3-1 win over West Brom, but that’s no longer what he is being judged on.

At least not by Guardiola. “An amazing performance,” the Spanish coach said.

Guardiola stunned reporters and City fans alike at the start of his first season in English football by publicly calling out Aguero, saying he expected more from a player who has long been widely regarded as the best striker in the EPL. Guardiola wanted to see a better pressing game from Aguero, more teamwork and link-up play, a better work ethic.

On the evidence of the West Brom game, Aguero has finally mastered how to perform the striker role that Guardiola wants.

“What I saw from outside when I coached against him, he was a guy in the box to score a goal,” Guardiola said. “I tried to get him involved in our game, to be involved defensively because I think he has a quality not just to score a goal but to be involved.

“Get out from the central defenders, create space behind central defenders if they decide to follow him. He has the quality to give that and make the pass. It’s necessary to feel that your teammates and manager and staff and the club are happy whether you score or don’t score.”