Manchester City: Sergio Aguero finally adapting to Pep Guardiola's demands?

Sergio Aguero has had a troubled first campaign under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. But is the Argentine finally now showing that he can play Guardiola’s way?

Sergio Aguero seemed to be heading for a long spell on the Manchester City bench a few weeks ago. Perhaps after that the Etihad exit door, even. But suddenly, a long-term injury to Gabriel Jesus, and Aguero is back in the City team.

For much of this year, Aguero has struggled to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s demands. Jesus’ arrival showed that up even more, as the Brazilian made such an impact, doing all the things Guardiola asks of his front man.

Not just the work rate and intensive pressing, but also the link-up play, assists and even the goals. Jesus seemed to be the total package as Manchester City’s new striker. The total package doing everything Aguero hasn’t been doing all year.

But with Jesus currently out of the picture, Aguero is finally looking like he’s got the message. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s been much, much better from Aguero since he returned to the side. The work rate, in particular is noticeably higher than usual.

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More than that, though, Aguero also seems to be looking for teammates more now when he has the ball. In years gone by, Aguero putting his head down and setting off on a stuttering solo run that either ended in an amazing goal or just a trip to the corner flag to lose possession was okay.

It was accepted. Not anymore. Not under Guardiola. Now Aguero needs to help make others better around him, and for the first time, he is now dong that. The likes of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling upfront with him are on fire. Aguero needs to – and has been – utilize those threats.

There’s still a way to go yet. It’s still just the early stages in Aguero at least showing signs of making changes to his game. But the way the Argentine is playing right now is at least a start. Just a few weeks ago, there was no start. No signs of anything changing.

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Aguero was Aguero and he was on the bench. Guardiola was yet to see the striker adapt to his demands, but finally, now, it is happening. Slowly. The key question is whether this will continue? Or does Aguero revert to type as time goes by? Time will tell.

If Aguero does continue on the path he is on at present, then choosing a striker is going to become even more complicated for Guardiola in the future.

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Manchester City: Sergio Aguero finally adapting to Pep Guardiola’s demands?

By Craig Pearson | Mar 2, 2017

Sergio Aguero has had a troubled first campaign under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. But is the Argentine finally now showing that he can play Guardiola’s way?

More from The Top Flight