Even Sergio Aguero’s not good enough for Pahang?

PETALING JAYA: There’s no place in the Pahang team for Argentine winger Sergio Aguero (pic) in the Super League – for the time being.

Aguero, who signed a two-year deal with Pahang earlier this year, will most likely be loaned out to a Premier League team before the transfer window closes today.

The 26-year-old is still very much in the long-term plans of Pahang, who want to naturalise him next year, as he enters his fifth season in Malaysian football this year.

He has also played for Melaka, Penang and Selangor in the last four seasons.

Pahang coach Thomas Dooley said they had their reasons for making the decision on Aguero, who earned praises for his steely determination in training.

“He is doing great in training and stepping up to the challenge. I would definitely use him, as a naturalised Malaysian. We felt it was best for him to get game time elsewhere,” said American Dooley.

“Sitting on the bench with Pahang wouldn’t help his development. I want him to join a Premier League side to get playing time and come back to us stronger for 2022.

“It will do a world of good for him and us.”

In his place, Pahang have signed experienced Ukrainian striker Yevhen Bokhashvili on Wednesday to lead their hunt for goals this season.

The 27-year-old, a former Ukrainian Under-21 international, joins the Elephants from Indonesian Liga 1 side PSS Sleman and comes with a reputation of being a good playmaker and winger.

“Bokhashvili is an experienced international, who has played in the top leagues in Ukraine and Indonesia. Hopefully, he will bring us to the level that we want in the Super League.”

Bokhashvili is set to partner Brazilian-Timor Leste striker Pedro Henrique up front and will look to thrive on the playmaking skills of Lee Tuck in midfield. FrenchLebanese centreback Mamadou Wague will partner Frenchman Herold Goulon in defence.

Pahang are currently training in Temerloh and Dooley said the atmosphere had been good.

“Everyone loves a champion team and we hope to achieve that status and impress our home fans. We want teams like Johor, Kedah and others putting everything on the plate to beat us,” said Dooley, who is assisted by Frenchman Christophe Gamel.