Pep: I’ve been totally honest with Aguero
PEP Guardiola insists he’s been honest with Sergio Aguero from the start of his City reign - adding that the pair have an ‘exceptional relationship.’
Aguero is demanding end-ofseason talks over his future claiming he still hasn’t been told face-to-face that he remains pivotal to City’s plans.
But Guardiola is adamant he has been open with the 28-year-old even after dropping him for Gabriel Jesus last month.
“I am, and I was from the beginning, very pleased with his performances,” said the Catalan. “When this kind of huge player doesn’t play there is always a debate, it’s always ‘why?’
“But we have an exceptional relationship, we were honest from the beginning.
“I said to him when Gabriel came I wanted to give him continuity.”
Jesus’ fractured metatarsal has given Aguero the opportunity to make an emphatic statement on his return to the team - producing the type of form that makes his demotion to the bench look evermore baffling.
His first-half strike against Sunderland was his fifth goal in his last three games - his 23rd in 24 starts this season.
By any measure, it is a remarkable statistic - and only justifies Guardiola’s contention that a host of clubs will be interested in him in the summer.
Real Madrid are expected to test City’s resolve to keep hold of the Argentine international, but highranking Etihad sources insist they have no intention of cashing in on him.
Much will depend on Aguero’s own thinking.
On numerous occasions in recent weeks he has put the onus on City to prove their desire to keep him at the club.
Guardiola is clear he intends to play with a lone striker going forward - meaning Aguero will face direct competition from Jesus for that role. And given that he has already been dropped for the Brazilian this season, it could mean more time on the sidelines than at any point during his City career. It could be argued Guardiola’s tough love has had the desired effect, with Aguero’s current scoring run ending a spell of six games without a goal. And the City manager has certainly been delighted with the response from his leading scorer. He described his performance against Hull last week as his ‘best ever’ - and following the 2-0 win against Sunderland, he hailed his recent form. “He played awesome against Monaco in terms of goals,” said Guardiola. “But especially he was so involved in how we want to play - not just in the box to score the goals - and that was so important. “He played really well again. “His talent is there and the way he fights and how he tries to help us - that gave us a lot of energy.”
Real Madrid are expected to test City’s resolve to keep hold of the Argentine international