CITY ARE SERGIO’S SAVIOUR

WHEN it comes to Sergio Aguero, Argentina’s loss has most certainly been Manchester City’s gain.

Aguero, who endured a miserable World Cup, has been left out of Argentina’s squad for their friendlies against Guatemala and Colombia. But far from being angered by his omission by interim coach Lionel Scaloni, those close to Aguero say it has served to strengthen his desire to produce his very best for City.

Those who work with Aguero (above, with David Silva) and see him on a daily basis say City has become a safe haven from his problems with

Argentina.

Viewed as one of the agitators who tried to get boss Jorge Sampaoli replaced during Argentina’s ill-fated World Cup campaign, Aguero now finds himself out of favour with the national team, a situation which has seen him start the new season with renewed fervour for the Premier League champs.

Aguero, who scored 30 goals last season, already has four from two games this term following his hat-trick in City’s 6-1 demolition of Huddersfield Town last Sunday.

With Aguero thriving under Pep Guardiola, it seems like a trick of the mind to recall the City manager’s apparent mistrust of the forward in his first season in charge of the Blues.

The perception was that Aguero, despite his formidable goalscoring abilty, did not work hard enough off the ball to meet the demands of Guardiola’s highintensity approach.

But Aguero’s determination to prove Guardiola (below, with his star striker) wrong has seen the 30-year-old thrive.

Aguero’s ninth Premier League hat-trick took his City career goal haul to 204 and saw him leap above Robin van Persie into second spot in the list of the Premier League’s all-time leading foreign goalscorers, with only Thierry Henry above him.

No wonder a delighted Guardiola was so forthcoming in his praise of Aguero following the forward’s 13th hat-trick for his club. “Since he came back in the summer – wow!” said Guardiola. “He came back perfect after some problems over the last few years. But it’s not just scoring goals – it’s the space, creating chances, moving, assists, chances, fouls. He never stops.

“When this happens he’s one of the best strikers in the world, without a doubt.”

Don’t cry for me Argentina? Aguero won’t be shedding any tears for his erstwhile national team as long as he continues to thrive for City under Guardiola.