Eriksen: Why I turned down Chelsea move
Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero has insisted there is no rift between him and manager Pep Guardiola but admits that he is already thinking about life after the Etihad. Agüero is currently away on international duty with Argentina, but has been in fine form for his club this season having already bagged 11 goals in all competitions.
Despite some impressive performances, the former Atletico Madrid striker found himself on the bench for City’s matches against Barcelona and Everton in October. This had led to speculation that the Argentine had fallen out with his boss, and that Guardiola was considering selling the striker.
Agüero has left his talking on the pitch however, returning to the team sheet and the score sheet in the Citizens recent 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.
Speaking to South America’s ESPN Radio (as quoted by 101 Great Goals), Agüero explained the reason for his surprise absence was related to Argentina’s shock World Cup qualifier defeat to Paraguay on October 12.
“I never had problems with Guardiola, nor him with me. He always helped me and gave me advice.” Agüero explained.
“After the game with Paraguay, I was emotionally very bad. Guardiola helped me a lot, he told me to try not to pay so much attention to what is said. He makes me focus on winning.”
Whilst the two-time Premier League winner pledged his short term commitment to Man City, he also revealed where he would like to move to once his career in Manchester has ended. He said: “For now I’m fine at Manchester City, and the day I leave it will be to return to Independiente.
Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen has revealed he chose a move to the Eredivisie over the chance to join Chelsea as a youngster. Eriksen moved to Dutch giants Ajax in 2008 from Danish side OB, having reportedly held trials with Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan.
The 24-year-old left Ajax in a reported £11million move to Spurs in 2013, where he has since become a key player under Mauricio Pochettino.
Eriksen has gone on to play 146 times for Tottenham, but acknowledged it was a fear of failure which played a part in his decision not to join Chelsea.
“In Denmark, you are sure to play if you were good, but Ajax played you if you had the mentality and went 100 percent to it,” Eriksen told Danish outlet Fyens.
“It did not matter who you were. It was about getting better every day.
“If I had chosen Chelsea, then my situation today would be completely different. I’m sure.
“Of course you never say never, because I would have been 100 percent into it, if I had chosen it. I just felt that there was more chance to fail than succeed.”
Eriksen is yet to score in the Premier League so far this season, after signing a new four-year deal with the club in September.
“I have lacked the goals and assists you are evaluated on worldwide,” he told the Evening Standard.
“Game-wise, it has been slightly below average in some periods but at others it has been fine. The goals have just been lacking.”