AGUERO’S 2020 VISION
Striker wants to prove he’s worth keeping for rest of his Etihad deal
SERGIO AGUERO will use Manchester City’s title procession to fight for his future at the club.
The star striker has long been the subject of speculation that boss Pep Guardiola is not a fan, and would like to replace the Argentine with a forward of different qualities. But with striking rival Gabriel Jesus out for up to eight weeks, it offers Aguero the perfect chance to show his value, as the Blues swagger towards their Premier League coronation. And he insisted there is only one thing on his mind – the desire to prove he should stay at the club until at least the end of his current contract, which has two and a half years left to run. “I have until 2020, I think. The truth is I hope to see out my contract and I’ll try to do my best from here until the end of the season, and after that we will see what happens.”
Aguero though, knows it is Guardiola who will have the ultimate power over his future, with the Emperor of the Etihad in total control of his squad.
That means reputation counts for nothing for the Argentina international. He says of his relationship with the manager “Todo bien”, which while hardly gushing translates as, ‘everything’s fine’. Yet he knows even his goals are no guarantee of an extended future, even if he is keen to see out his contract.
Asked if he is keen to stay, he replied: “Yes, for me yes. Obviously my plan is not to change clubs. I’m very happy here, but as I said before, the club has the last word. They are the ones who say you have to go or stay, so I’ll respect whatever they tell me.”
With Jesus sidelined for up to two months, Aguero will feature even more than he has done this season.
But the Brazilian’s international team-mate Ederson believes Jesus will be back stronger than ever, for the title run-in and the business end of the Champions League knockout stages.
“It is going to be difficult for him especially because it is his second serious injury since he arrived here at Manchester City,” Ederson said of his friend.
“But I think he is going to recover well, he always works hard, he is going to do his best to recover as soon as possible and hopefully he will be among us and helping us soon.”
Aguero hopes so too. He admitted that even though the title is virtually won, he would swap it for a different medal, adding: “I would prefer to win the Champions League over the league because it’s something City haven’t won yet.”