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Paul Merson says he was surprised by the announcement of Sergio Agüero’s departure from Manchester City, but insists that Pep Guardiola’s team must already have a replacement lined up to let out the “goal machine”.
Man City confirmed Monday night that its all-time record scorer will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.
It will end a brilliant career at the Etihad Stadium with the Argentine international helping City win four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and five League Cups during his 10-year tenure, and there could be more to come with him. club. still chasing a quad this season.
In his last Sky sports In the column, Merson discusses Aguero’s legendary status in the Premier League, the important role he still has to play for City this season, that last-gasp goal to win the title against QPR, what could be the next move for the Argentine and who could replace him in Manchester City season …
‘Agüero is a legend of the Premier League’
Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero has scored the most goals in the Premier League since joining the club in 2011
“Legend is a term that is used a lot in football, but in terms of the Premier League, Sergio Agüero is an absolute legend.
“From the day he first came to Manchester City, he has been the best drawer.
“I am surprised by the decision, but Manchester City must have someone else in mind.
0:59
Relive the greatest moment of Sergio Agüero’s career at Manchester City, winning the title with the last kick of the 2011/2012 season
“They must bring a great name like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappé. Otherwise, how not to retain Aguero? It is impossible not to retain him. He is a scoring machine!”
“I can understand that the injuries he has suffered in recent seasons have had an influence, but if you don’t bring Haaland, Kane or Mbappé, you stay with Agüero. Even if he only plays 20 games, he is getting you 15 goals.
“Manchester City’s Achilles heel right now is probably scoring goals. For the amount of chances they make, some games lose one opportunity after another.”
‘Agüero is the only natural goalscorer for City’
Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero has the best Premier League goal rate of all forwards since joining the club in 2011
“Agüero is the club’s only natural scorer.
“They haven’t sidelined the teams this season. Even when they were on that incredible streak, the teams stayed in the game and that was because City missed opportunities more than anything.
“And now, as we approach the end of the season, Manchester City need Sergio Agüero.
“In the Champions League, against the big teams, they will be punished if they continue to miss the amount of opportunities that they have lost in the Premier League.
“That’s where I can only think that one of the big three, Haaland, Kane or Mbappé, will come to Man City next year, and City is thinking that he will play every week, Jesus will be the substitute and it is disrespectful. “. Agüero to have him as the third striker of his choice.
“It would make him a secondary player, and he is still much more than that.”
‘Agüero still has a big role to play in the quadruple bid’
0:52
Gabriel Jesus says his Manchester City teammate Sergio Agüero is the best player in the club’s history
“What an end to his City career he could have. All four trophies are still firmly on the table.
“They have a lot of leeway in the Premier League, but in other competitions it comes down to one-off matches, and if you have a bad day, it doesn’t exist anymore.”
“This is where it gets really nervous for a team, but if you want to go and win quadruple, that’s what it’s all about.
“We’ve seen it with Manchester United in the past, Dennis Bergkamp missed a penalty in an FA Cup semi-final with practically the last shot of the match, Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink scores in the last minute and Arsenal are beaten at Elland Road and Manchester United goes on to win the Champions League with the last two shots of the match.
“They are good margins and this is how close you can be to winning the treble, and being remembered forever, or not winning at all.
“This is what we are going to do with City. It is the end of the business and they will need a bit of luck, and a player like Sergio Agüero.”
What’s next for Agüero?
What will be Sergio Agüero’s next move?
“There will not be many clubs that do not want a player of the stature of Agüero.
“However, clubs will be looking at their injury history and salary bills. It will also come down to Aguero as well because he will have to be in a team that creates opportunities. If you are not going in and out of the opponent’s penalty shot too often then it would be. difficult to have Agüero on your team.
“He is no longer putting the ball in the middle line and winning three players. That is not his game anymore. We have seen some special goals from him in which he has scored from zero, but he has had injuries and is improving a little, like that. I don’t see that happening too often anymore.
“It is an important decision for him to choose who he will play with next season.”
Could you stay in England?
0:59
Manchester City TV host Kyle Walker says club fans are “ heartbroken ” after City announced that Sergio Agüero will be leaving at the end of the season.
“Will he stay in England or will his next move be abroad? If he stays in England, I think Arsenal would adapt to the style that he would be looking for. They would be a good option.”
“Mikel Arteta was at Manchester City and in the way Arsenal plays; they move around the area and create a lot of opportunities. Arsenal ticks that box for Agüero.
“But if he goes abroad where the intensity is not as harsh as in England? He could go somewhere with a different climate and where the matches are not as intense as in the Premier League.”
“That could help with his injury issues as he moves into the later stages of his career. It’s an important move for Aguero on his way to the final stage of a brilliant career.”
And what’s next for Man City?
Could Harry Kane or Erling Haaland replace Aguero in Man City?
“If it was Man City, I would stick with anyone from Haaland, Kane or Mbappé.
“Whoever has the opportunity to replace Agüero at City has the job of their dreams.
“If you are one of those three players and you get the job at City, you have to be thinking about 30 goals next season, at least.
“People will say about Robert Lewandowski and he is the best player, but he will not come to England at this stage in his career.
“Anyone from Haaland, Kane from Mbappé ticks the boxes for City, in my opinion. It’s a great move for any of them because they’re scoring goals.”
Haaland, Kane or Mbappé, who is the perfect fit?
9:23
Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher debate whether Kylian Mbappé or Erling Haaland would be the best replacement for Sergio Agüero at Manchester City
“They are all top level players, they all want to score goals and they would fit in well.
“Personally, I think Haaland is the top scorer, but for me Kane and Mbappé bring more to the party.
“It will all come down to what Pep Guardiola wants. If you want someone to stay up there and put the ball in the back of the net, then I think you choose Haaland.
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Manchester City should replace Sergio Agüero with Erling Haaland as he will be a better long-term investment for the club than Harry Kane, says former Tottenham and Norway goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt
“If you want someone who’s going to come in and engage with Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva, then you’re looking more at Kane and Mbappé.
“But if you only want a scorer like Agüero, a scoring machine, I think you go for Haaland.
“I would be surprised if City didn’t know who they want for next season. Saying that Agüero is leaving at the end of the season tells me they already have someone lined up to replace him.”
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