IT’S SMASH AND GRABB FOR FOREST
‘Sergio is irreplaceable .. it will be so tough for us when he leaves’
vMolineux, 7.45pm
PEP GUARDIOLA has branded Sergio Aguero “irreplaceable” and admitted finding his successor will be his biggest challenge.
Aguero (below), Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer with 244 goals from 355 games, has 18 months left on his contract and is set to leave when that expires.
The Argentina striker’s legendary status at City is assured, with Guardiola acknowledging the club will find it hard to replace the greatest striker in their history.
“It will be one of the toughest challenges,” said Guardiola. “Sergio is irreplaceable. We have another incredible striker in Gabriel Jesus and maybe another one will come when Sergio leaves but he is irreplaceable.
“The most important moment of this club – more important than when this club hopefully wins the Champions League – is when Sergio scored that goal against QPR to win the club’s first league title for so many years– 44.
“That moment is much better than four titles in one season or whatever – and he was the guy.
“Sooner or later it will happen, he’ll decide when he leaves. I’m sure the club will be ready to try to find the guy to replace him but, of course, it will not be easy.”
Guardiola has played and worked with some of the world’s finest attacking talents, including Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Romario, Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
But the City boss said
Aguero, 31, as well as being one of the most gifted players he has worked with, is also the most humble, always putting the team before himself.
“I’ve never seen such a big star like him be so humble, so funny, and it’s a joy to work with him and how he accepts my decisions when it sometimes doesn’t work for him,” said Guardiola.
“Big stars don’t usually accept that. I’ve worked with other stars who believe they were bigger than Sergio when they weren’t and they were more difficult to handle and to be with.
“It’s not easy to find a guy with his status, his personality, his humility and how he accepts everything so perfectly.
“In the box he’s incredible but I had other guys who were not bad. Ronaldo, the Brazilian, Romario, Eto’o – he was one of the most incredible strikers I’ve seen, he could do everything – and Sergio is of course one of them.
“Messi is a little bit higher than them but Sergio is one of them. He can stay beyond his current deal but it depends on his physical condition and desire.
“Like with Vinnie Kompany who wanted to be here and then went to Belgium, like David Silva, sometimes you have to take a decision.
“But with most of the cases, the players decide. I would like Sergio to decide whether he wants more or if it’s over.”
Aguero made his return from injury as a sub in City’s 3-1 win over Leicester and will be on the bench again for tonight’s trip to Wolves, until he is fully fit to start a game.
“Now he’s still not ready for 90 minutes,” said Guardiola. “But we will give him as many minutes as possible.”
FORGET home comforts – Lewis Grabban is happy taking to the road for success.
Forest helped their promotion push with a first win in six games thanks to in-form top scorer Grabban (above), who netted in each half to take his season’s tally to 12, with seven in the last 10.
All but two of those goals have come away from home, with the 31-year-old finding the net only once at the City Ground since mid-August.
But boss Sabri Lamouchi isn’t bothered where the striker gets his goals, as Forest moved up to seventh with a first win since the end of November.
The Frenchman said: “He’s our leader on the pitch, he’s a fantastic player and one of the best finishers I’ve worked with.
“I don’t think he feels pressure playing at home, but maybe we show a different attitude away – we’re more open and probably create more chances.
“It was not our best performance of the season, but it was a hard-working victory and the clean sheet is important.”
Grabban marked his 50th league start for the club by smashing his 11th-minute penalty down the middle to beat keeper George Long after Jackson Irvine tripped Samba Sow in the area.
Hull were a shadow of their usual attacking threat, and Grabban settled it with eight minutes left, swapping passes with Tiago Silva to beat Long at the near post for Forest’s first Boxing Day away win for 28 years.
Hull boss Grant McCann said: “We were disappointing. Everyone looked off the pace.”
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