When the first story emerged this week linking Sergio Aguero with a big-money move to Chelsea it was widely batted away with incredulity. Swiftly came a second wave of reports, this time with a line attached attributed to Sky Sports that Chelsea had a ‘serious and strong interest’ in luring the Argentinian predator to the capital. Once again the common consensus amounted to scorn. Of course they did, the majority mocked, just like every heterosexual man has a strong and serious interest in dating a supermodel.
Since Aguero pitched up at the Etihad in 2011 he has proven himself over and over again to be the most prolific and reliable of finishers: in the last three seasons alone he has accumulatively slotted home a staggering 83 goals and this despite significant periods out through injuries and suspensions.
Additionally, for all the pile-on-top criticism last season of his movement and work-rate outside of the box following Pep Guardiola’s temporary preference for Gabriel Jesus his pass completion stats are unfailingly up there with the very best in his position while Aguero on a mission remains one of the most thrilling sights in English football: a one-man war excelling at a different level to those around him. To sell such an integral superstar to a direct rival would be nothing short of madness.
Guardiola’s insistence at a press conference this week that his number 10 was going nowhere cut the rather far-fetched transfer story at the roots. Yet the feeling cannot be shaken off that there are further seeds to be sown perhaps not involving a Premier League peer but in reprised interest from Aguero’s long-time suitors Real Madrid.
The last time the Spanish giants came knocking – or rather the last time the media were coerced into believing their intention was to come knocking – Guardiola answered with the same adamant denial on so many occasions that it drove him to exasperation. Should this saga continue however the tone of his rebuttals might well be different in the very near future and especially so if circumstances in the meantime have led to the successful securement of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal.
In Sanchez the City boss would have not only a player he rates extremely highly but someone he has previously stated works best as a centre-forward and with Jesus destined for saviour status in that same role suddenly a colossal fee for a forward no longer an automatic starter on the far side of his peak would not seem so illogical.
Knowing the right time to sell great players is a managerial art in itself and its one Guardiola has shown himself to be masterful of at Barcelona in particular. It requires a good deal of bravery and a trenchant belief in personal judgement, both qualities the Spanish coach has in abundance and pertinently it is the same qualities Sir Alex Ferguson had when he backed himself to sell Ruud Van Nistelrooy in 2006. Like Aguero the Dutch striker boasted a phenomenal scoring record in Manchester over several campaigns but at 30 years of age – and crucially with Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney primed to form a devastating attack – he was deemed surplus to requirements while he retained a sizable resale value.
It was a trick Ferguson pulled off many times during his long reign and looking at the big picture it could be argued that City, after a decade of emerging from their neighbour’s shadow and becoming a behemoth in their own right, have now reached that emotionally-conflicting stage of their empire-building. The need to regenerate. The selling off of legends.
The remodelling of Aguero’s game in the latter half of last season was a success. He ran half a kilometre more per game. He became a team player rather than a lone gun-man. But for all of his incredible achievements and influence at Manchester City – not to mention his idol’s status among the fan-base – he might just find himself a month from now as the most dispensable of the club’s attacking options.
In a similar fashion to the disbelief witnessed this week a sale would prompt incredulity, but there would be credible reasons behind it.
