City ace can be goal-den oldie says legend Tueart
DENNIS TUEART knows a bit about the enduring appeal of a goalscorer, of how flashbulb moments can sear themselves into the memories of a generation of fans.
Even 43 years on, his goal which won the 1976 League Cup Final for Manchester City commands a special place in the affections of supporters who still shake his hand and offer thanks.
But when the club’s history is written up, Tueart is sure the work of one man will dazzle above all others.
And the good news for City fans now is that he believes that man, Sergio Aguero, can maintain the same high levels of form until he is in his mid-30s.
Aguero, 30, will step out against Chelsea tomorrow afternoon at the same venue where Tueart’s overhead kick sealed the 1976 final as City beat Newcastle 2-1.
And he will do so at the peak of his powers, according to the club legend who believes Pep Guardiola’s sympathetic management will give him every chance of emulating Alan Shearer.
“I can see him doing that because of the way Pep rotates him,” said Tueart. “It is, ‘Give us an hour and 10 Sergio and I’ll give you 20 minutes off ’. He can manage.
“Look at what Shearer did – he went on until he was 35. Still scoring goals. It is a state of mind and Sergio has got to like the smell of success now.”
When Aguero’s number went up on the fourth official’s board against Schalke on Wednesday with 12 minutes of normal time to go and with City still chasing the win, there were some raised eyebrows.
Tueart’s were not among them, though.
Rotation
He said: “Pep was thinking, ‘We’ll turn that around at home in the second leg but we need to get Sergio ready for Sunday’. Without question, that was a tactical move. He knows he’s on a hot streak.
“It is that rotation which will keep him going because you keep your sharpness.
“When Thierry Henry was 29 (Arsenal boss) Arsene Wenger offloaded him to Barcelona – I heard it was because his stats were not as good as they had been.
“His runs, the pace of his runs and the distance of his runs were starting to drop off. What Pep has done is rejuvenate Aguero.”
Aguero’s legend was already sealed with his goal against QPR which won the league in the dying breath of the 2011-12 season. But when Guardiola first took over at City in 2016, the Argentinian’s future looked anything but certain.
The Spaniard demanded everyone put in a shift. The feeling that Aguero was not working hard enough closing down defenders created a situation which came to a head when he was left out of the most important game of the season against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Guardiola’s uncompromising approach has led to a transformation in the forward since and one which has not only improved him but reflects well on both men, according to Tueart (above).
He said: “When Sergio looked around at all the rest of the guys putting in the hard yards in training and in the matches, he was left in no doubt it didn’t matter who you are or how much you cost, you put the hard yards in.
“Some would have reacted to that badly. Some people who claim to be the best are happy to go for the money, not trophies.
“But either that desire is in your DNA or not. Sergio has it and, more importantly, the club now have it.
“Our DNA is now the best in the world in putting the hard yards in. Leroy [Sane] has had a few issues it seems with Pep but nobody could question him on that score. Even David Silva, who was not renowned for his hard work, he puts it in now.”
Hard work beckons tomorrow against a Chelsea side well aware of the threat Aguero poses, having conceded a hat-trick to him in the 6-0 thrashing at the Etihad two weeks ago.
Aguero will also be hunting his second League Cup Final goal following his opener in the 3-0 win over Arsenal last February.
Stopping him in this mood will not be easy.