Why one Argentinian could play a massive role in the Blues' title bid
By Jack Mumford
If there was one way to describe City’s season so far I would use the phrase ‘hot and cold’. Some brilliant performances - most notably the derby in September and the mauling of Norwich - have been cancelled out largely by individual errors at several Premier League grounds around the country.
The one constant shining beacon of hope though, the reason I and many others still believe we could be in for a very successful season is the escalation in form of Sergio "Kun" Agüero.
Obviously the tricky Argentinian had already had a fantastic two years since arriving at the Etihad from Atlético Madrid but since August, Agüero has reached a whole new level within the game and is quickly pushing himself into the elite bracket of world class players.
After seeing him score 35 Premier League goals in his first two seasons at the club, many believed he had reached his peak - and a very high one at that. However, his thirteen competitive goals this season - many of which have seen City come away with maximum points - have left fans dreaming of the dizzy heights Agüero could reach in the game on a global scale.
His link-up with new signing Álvaro Negredo has seen City score the most goals in the league so far this season, but it is more than just an effective, hardworking strike partner that has given Agüero the edge he currently has.
The form of Samir Nasri and especially David Silva, who is just as crucial to City’s football as Agüero in my eyes, obviously can’t be overlooked as they both keep the ball superbly and create chances for Agüero and Negredo to finish off.
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However, Agüero has been much more clinical this season from almost the first whistle with his brilliantly taken goal against Newcastle. Defenders are now consistently scared of putting a foot wrong as they know he will almost certainly punish them.
His individual performance at Stamford Bridge was a particular highlight of his early season form. After a match winning two goals in Moscow only four days earlier, Agüero defied fatigue and was consistently the live wire for City, who controlled possession but failed to create much with it.
After an early, dare I say it Messi-esque, solo slalom through a tightly packed Chelsea box forced Petr Cech into a great save, Agüero got his first genuine chance of the match early in the second half.
A sequence of passes in the opponents half ended with Nasri sliding a pass into the edge of the 18 yard box. Agüero naturally reached it first and seemingly from an impossible angle powered a shot into the roof of the net to leave one of the best goalkeepers in the world motionless.
It is that ability to create something out of nothing that all the truly top players of the world have. Our very own energetic Argentinian has shown that he could earn the right to be on that same pedestal and that his first two, very impressive, seasons were just the tip of the iceberg for him.
Agüero appears to be completely in love with the game at the moment and fully focused despite well documented personal issues and attempts from media around the world to unsettle him.
My advice is to enjoy Agüero while he is in this form; we all know how lucky we are to watch a player of his calibre weekly.
What are your thoughts on the Argentinian's start to the season? Can he earn the right to be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Let us know!
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You can also follow Jack on Twitter: @jackmumf
(c) The Sky Blue View 2013
Aguero has started the season on fire and I think Negrado has a lot to do with that. The partnership should develop further as the season wears on which should be terrifying for opposition defenders! My only concern is the lack of creativity without Silva.
ReplyDeleteAgainst Sunderland Sergio was dropping deeper trying to create chances. This is not his game and I thought he was wasted there.