After the striker had earlier provided details of a knee surgery he hopes will soon have him back in action, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed Sergio Agüero’s Premier League season has already reached its conclusion with an absence of “four to five weeks” to be expected of the Argentine.
Though Manchester City’s third Premier League title was confirmed last weekend however, that’s not to say that there aren’t internal concerns about Agüero’s chances of making Russia 2018 - which Guardiola promised the club will “try and get him ready” for.
“He’s in Barcelona now.” Guardiola explained, as this is where “the first part of [his] rehabilitation” will take place. Simultaneously, this also gives Jorge Sampaoli a chance to check in with his marksman and be updated on his current physical condition as, according to reports, the Argentina manager will today meet Lionel Messi in the Catalan capital for the two to go over La Albiceleste’s final 23-man squad with a deadline of May 14 fast approaching.
Despite the national team’s doctor stating his belief that Agüero will not be 100% for the start of the tournament, his standing as Messi’s best-friend off the pitch and their shared history of playing together for their country since the youth ranks still put Khun in good stead for making the cut.
In Milan, Sampaoli will apparently touch bases with Inter’s Mauro Icardi to discuss his chances of joining Agüero up front or as back-up, in addition to Juventus’ Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain in Turin to likewise discuss their likelihood of surviving the cull.
A jaunt on English soil is also expected, where Sampaoli could link up with former River Plate star Erik Lamela and compatriot Mauro Pochettino, who is one day tipped to be appointed by the Argentine FA as a successor to Sampaoli or whoever follows him. By heading north, Marcos Rojo and Nicolas Otamendi could also be taken care of while Guardiola would no doubt be thrilled to hold court with a respected figure he has long admired.
