GUARDIOLA: AGUERO CAN BE EVEN BETTER

PEP GUARDIOLA has warned Manchester City’s rivals that Sergio Aguero is set to have his most prolific season yet. The Argentina striker bolstered his position as a City legend yesterday by passing 200 goals for the club, scoring both in the Community Shield victory over Chelsea. And Guardiola believes Aguero, who scored 30 goals last season, could be on course for his best season yet, insisting his decision to have knee surgery last April will see him go from strength to strength. ‘We were really impressed when he arrived (back for pre-season),’ said Guardiola. ‘Sergio always needs a bit more time to find his top condition. But he arrived so sharp, so good. I think at the end of last season, the knee operation, Ramon Cugat — the best doctor in the world — made the perfect surgery and now he feels free. ‘It’s good news for us. He scored two goals, produced chances, he could have scored three or four or five.’ Guardiola also praised Bernardo Silva, who was excellent in City’s midfield. City’s manager hinted that he could split the Kevin De Bruyne/David Silva central midfield partnership that served his team so well last year. ‘Today the performance of Bernardo Silva was a masterpiece,’ said Guardiola. ‘Right now, it is Bernardo and 10 players more. Right now. ‘Always I say the same to the players. “You want to talk to me? Talk to me on the green (grass)”. And now Bernardo is far away from the other guys.’