POWER SERGIO
Pep admits he needs Aguero to hit top form as City push for the Quadruple without Jesus
PEP GUARDIOLA has admitted the pressure is on Sergio Aguero to singlehandedly lead Manchester City’s attack – while they weigh up a move for Alexis Sanchez.
With Gabriel Jesus ruled out for up to two months, Aguero will have to lead the line for Guardiola’s side and help keep them on track for a unique Quadruple.
City are weighing up whether to make a £30million bid for Sanchez in this window or wait until the summer to land the Arsenal forward when he will be a free agent.
Guardiola (below) has rotated Aguero and Jesus in recent weeks but admitted the enforced loss of the latter means the former is going to be pushed to the limit physically and mentally.
“Sergio is going to play and hopefully can show us his top level,” said Guardiola. “Of course, we’re going to speak every day before and after the games about how he feels. “When you have games every three or four days, sometimes you’re going to rest and sometimes you’re going to play. “But we’re so happy with what he’s done.
“Sergio is on fire in this period. Before we came here, he had long periods of injury, and in these two years he didn’t suffer that. So hopefully we can handle it until the end, because of course we need the striker’s goals.”
One option for Guardiola is to play Raheem Sterling or Leroy Sane through the middle, but both are so effective in their wide roles, City would lose that threat.
“Our success is not just about strikers, but wingers and attacking midfielders, and scoring a lot of goals from setpieces,” said Guardiola.
“Kevin De Bruyne played as a striker at Barcelona last season, but I prefer him in the middle.
“But we have other options, not like a striker, but guys with mentality to be around the box who can solve that problem.”
Guardiola also said he will wait until next season before deciding whether to sign a contract extension with City – but admitted he must win trophies to earn a new deal.
“I will be here one more year after this and we will see if we win and if I deserve it,” said Guardiola.
“I’m so happy here. If you want to extend the contract at big clubs you have to win, that’s why I want to win.”