Sergio Aguero’s move to Manchester City is edging closer to completion and I couldn’t be happier. No I am not a Manchester City fan but in Aguero I think City are acquiring one of the most exciting talents in world football and he looks set to grace England’s top tier next season. Like most wonderkids from Argentina he carries huge expectation with him whether he goes but whilst City line him up to be the next Carlos Tevez, can Aguero go on and be better than the man he is replacing?
Aguero, or El Kun, has been plying his trade with Atletico Madrid in Spain’s La Liga for a number of years and like his former teammate Fernando Torres, he also now looks set to test his talents in England. Despite the attacking wealth at City’s disposal, the possible departure of captain Carlos Tevez has obviously left Roberto Mancini needing a replacement. And in Aguero you are getting that like-for-like replacement that the departure of Tevez would require.
Both Argentine internationals are small in build (both around 5ft 7in) and not your conventional target frontmen. At 23 Aguero is four years younger than Tevez, allowing Aguero time to develop and adapt to the English league. When Tevez arrived in City he had experience of the Premier League with West Ham and Manchester United but Aguero may take slightly longer to settle at City than Tevez. If the quoted £38million figure is correct then City are also doing a good deal business wise if they can sell off Tevez for a higher amount.
But what about goals? The success of Tevez at City came down to his fantastic goal scoring record and ability to change a game. With Aguero City have the same attributes. Aguero has scored 121 goals in 280 appearances for club and country (compared to Tevez’s 151 in 361). Aguero also matched Tevez’s 20 goals in their domestic leagues last season.
Another attribute so crucial to City’s success last season was Tevez’s ability to create a moment out of nothing. Aguero’s skill, pace, fast feet and eye for goal means he has similar quality. He has the frightening ability to take on and beat defenders with the upmost ease. Premier League defenders may be relieved to read about Tevez’s probable departure but with Aguero they will have little to time to relax.
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But there are ways in which the two differ. Tevez’s inability to stay at a club longer than a couple of years has been very unsettling. He clearly wants to leave and there is no doubt that this very public desire to move on has affected the club, players and manager in some way. Aguero joined Madrid aged 18 back in 2006. After understandably taking time to settle in a new country, Aguero went on to have a huge impact in La Liga. He has been on the radar of the European elite for many years and despite obvious interest in his services, he has shown a loyalty to the club that developed him beyond what many would have expected. Aguero seems keen to join City and that is crucial for Mancini. But one thing that may be lost in replacing Aguero with Tevez is Tevez’s ability to influence the team. Tevez’s played an integral role on the pitch last season in rallying the City players to victories with his endless work ethic and leadership skills. Aguero won’t offer the same presence but it will be up to City’s more senior players to take up that particular void left by Tevez.
Despite City’s obvious intentions to replace Tevez with Aguero, there is still a slim chance that both could be playing at the same club next season. The saga that is Tevez’s transfer looks far from completion whilst Aguero is nearing his move to Manchester. I do expect Tevez to still leave, with City maybe more willing to do business after signing a suitable replacement but it would be an interesting situation if both were at City come the start of the season.
The loss of Carlos Tevez will always be a blow to City after his influential time with the club but in Aguero, they have the best replacement possible to continue their aim of reaching the very top of world football.
If you want to read more of my bite size, 160 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5
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