Manchester City: Sergio Aguero did nothing to plead his case against Bournemouth
Sergio Aguero came off the bench to score the second goal in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth – or so he thought initially. Either way, the goal really masks Aguero’s overall performance in the game.
Sergio Aguero has been headline news recently after Pep Guardiola dropped the Manchester City striker in favor of new signing, Gabriel Jesus. Aguero remains one of the best strikers in the world but, apparently, not a player Guardiola wants in his starting lineup.
Was it all just a challenge to Aguero? A threat to bring out the best in the Argentine? Competition designed to improve him? No. Aguero really just does not fit under Guardiola, and the game against Bournemouth only proved that further.
City started the game with Jesus upfront, alongside Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling. In recent games, the trio have been a nightmare for opponents to play against, with Jesus inspiring an added dimension of energy and selfless work rate.
The first 15 minutes looked similar to recent City games, with Guardiola’s men on the front foot and pressing aggressively for the ball. The home team struggled and City were unfortunate not to go ahead early.
But then Jesus went off and on came Aguero. City are clearly a different team with Aguero leading the line, than with Jesus being the front man. Everything changes. Suddenly, City were no longer an aggressive front-foot team.
They were now on the back foot much more often and trying to spring counter attacks. The offensive press was much less effective and Bournemouth were able to hold onto possession better and for longer.
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City had to run and chase more as the home team grew into the game. Guardiola’s men tried to play out from the back, but the ball often failed to stick with their new striker. Aguero received multiple good passes into him, and most times the ball just bounced straight back to Bournemouth.
This is where Aguero falls short for a Guardiola team. And although the Argentine made a typical striker’s run for the team’s second goal, the overall display showed why Aguero is fighting – and he is fighting – an uphill battle to convince Guardiola that he can play Pep’s way.
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Aguero is trying to change his manager’s mind. His work rate is considerably up this season over previous campaigns. But Aguero just doesn’t have the physical capability or the mental will to want to work so hard for 90 minutes.
He also doesn’t have the ability to link the play up from deeper positions and help those around him. Despite Aguero’s will to prove otherwise, it’s just not his game. Some will now point to the goal – which was eventually cruelly ruled as an own goal – as a reason why Aguero needs to play again or why he is now finding his feet under Guardiola.
But it is the entire display which must be assessed. Barring the now-own goal, there wasn’t much to see from Aguero. He played well in spots, but generally failed to hold possession or press with the same intensity that Jesus naturally does. Two things Guardiola demands without fail.
Aguero played a crucial part in City’s win – something the Manchester City legend has done throughout his career at the Etihad Stadium. But that’s nothing new. The Bournemouth performance was a typical one – both good and bad – for Aguero. There were no new wrinkles.
Which is what Guardiola is looking for. Change. Adaptation. For Aguero to evolve. Unfortunately, it was the same performance from Aguero that Guardiola already knows all too well, and decided he wanted something different.
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Guardiola will see beyond Aguero’s hand in the goal and realize he still needs Jesus back from injury as soon as possible. The Bournemouth game merely proved that Sergio Aguero can still do what Sergio Aguero has done for years now.
And that he also still isn’t the right type of striker to lead the line for Guardiola’s City.