Aguero still vital to City in short term says Pep
MAN CITY V A VILLA 6PM
PEP GUARDIOLA is desperate to have Sergio Aguero back to help Manchester City in their attempt to reclaim the Premier League title.
But the City manager admits he has started preparing for life without the club’s record goalscorer.
Aguero has made just five league appearances this term due to a succession of injuries, as well as being forced to self-isolate after coming into close contact with someone who had Covid-19.
The Argentina striker, 32, is out of contract at the end of this season and is not expected to agree an extension with Etihad bosses.
Despite being without their lethal marksman, City have gone 15 games unbeaten in all competitions and won their past eight on the spin. That upsurge in form has seen them charge into the title reckoning ahead of today’s game at home to Aston Villa.
Guardiola cannot wait for Aguero to return, despite conceding that City have to look to a future that will not include the club legend.
He said: “We need him and we miss him because his numbers speak for themselves. He is the best striker in our history.
“He can create and win games for himself. We want him back but we have to move forward, find alternatives.” One of the reasons for City’s recent success has been their miserly defending, with Guardiola’s side conceding just three goals in 15 outings.
City have benefited from centre-half John Stones’ return to form, along with the impressive impact Ruben Dias has made since joining from Benfica in September in a club record £62million deal.
Guardiola, who will not make any signings in this month’s transfer window, believes Dias is an exceptional talent and knows France Under-21 international Aymeric Laporte faces a huge battle to get back in the team.
He added: “It depends on him [Laporte]. He has special quality with the ball. He has to be focused to come back in the best condition.
“Ruben’s impact has been massive. Not just with John, it was when he played alongside Aymeric or Eric Garcia.
“He is a guy with the ability to live every single action during 95 minutes. He is always concentrating and that is not easy to find in a 23-year-old.” MAN CITY (probable): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Cancelo, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Jesus, Foden.