Aguero still has big City future
PEP GUARDIOLA says the stunning impact made by Gabriel Jesus does not signal the beginning of the end for Sergio Aguero.
Aguero has missed the past two games as Manchester City have scored seven goals and Jesus has sparkled in a pacy, young forward line alongside Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.
It has prompted speculation that Real Madrid will renew their interest in Aguero, who is 29 in June, but Guardiola says the Argentinian – the third highest scorer in City’s history – is still part of his plans and can play alongside Brazilian Jesus.
“I understand the debate,” he said. “But there is no doubt about Sergio’s quality. I have been happy with what he has done – except the seven games when he was banned.
“The big clubs in Europe – Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus – always have a lot of strikers and we need that as well. This club had Sergio, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli all together.
“Sergio remains the most – or one of the most – important players in our squad. Without him it will not be possible to have success. He has played all the games except one in Barcelona which was a tactical decision and one when he had come back from Argentina.
“But now I have seven strikers, if you include everyone who plays up front like the wingers. Now I have many options up front. “Gabriel has played well since he arrived, but they can play together because in Brazil, Gabriel played on the left side. He likes to play on the left, with the diagonal movement, like he was doing in the last two games. “They can play together because Gabriel is not just one in behind, he is good in the box, he is a fighter. His working back is really good. I love the players who work back and help the team and show me that desire to keep the ball.”
Jesus, 19, has hit the ground running since joining City from Palmeiras for £27million last month. He had a goal disallowed after coming on as a sub against Tottenham, set up a goal at Crystal Palace on his full debut and then scored and claimed an assist against West Ham in midweek.
But Guardiola says there is a lot more to come, especially when Jesus has learnt English. “He’s only 19 years old but he has settled quickly,” the manager said. “He speaks enough English words to understand us but he’s taking lessons every single day. We want him to settle in the right way as quickly as possible.
“In the three games he has played he has shown a lot in terms of desire. He has helped us with high-pressing intensity and his movements in the box. Even when he comes in the middle to play, he has the ability to share the ball with his team-mates. We are happy with him. But there’s a lot to improve.” Guardiola has, meanwhile, left the door open for calamity keeper Claudio Bravo to win back his first-team place. Bravo was axed at West Ham in favour of Willy Caballero, but Guardiola says that Bravo could return against Swansea tomorrow. “I just felt Willy should play,” the City boss said. “But I still haven’t decided. “I am happy because at the big clubs they always have good goalkeepers. I am going to decide, it depends on what I see. Claudio has a lot of experience. I explained my feelings and he understood. “One of Claudio’s biggest qualities is his strong personality. “If not, he could not play as the Chile captain and play for teams like Barcelona where the pressure is a thousand times higher than here.”
Big clubs in Europe have lots of strikers and we need that