Sergio Aguero Cutting a Frustrated Figure in Strange Manchester City Season

It’s been a strange season for Sergio Aguero so far. Taking a look at his performances in 2016-17 solely on a statistical level, there doesn’t seem to be much different than in previous years—he’s still got a great goals-to-games ratio, and he’s running further on average per match under new boss Pep Guardiola than his previous manager, Manuel Pellegrini, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

Delving a little deeper, though, it’s difficult for Manchester City supporters not to feel like there is something not quite right with the Argentinian at the moment. Despite a tally so far this campaign of 16 goals in 19 matches, the striker has gone for long spells without finding the net.

He went dry for over a month in the autumn—following his second goal in a 3-1 win at Swansea City at the end of September, he didn’t beat a goalkeeper again until he opened the scoring at West Bromwich Albion, a game his side won 4-0 at the end of October.

Throughout that time, there were matches where he didn’t get a sniff of the ball. There were fixtures where he just couldn’t find his shooting boots, including missing a penalty against Everton. The biggest pill for him to swallow, though, came in an eventual 4-0 defeat at Barcelona, when he was dropped—with the manager later confirming it was down to tactical reasons.

“He didn’t warm up, but it was OK,” the City manager said, as per the Manchester Evening News (via the Daily Mirror): “I wanted one more midfield player in that position and that was the reason why [he didn’t play]. I spoke with him, and he was good.”

Is it too easy to suggest Pep’s not entirely happy with Aguero? Gabriel Jesus brought in to put pressure on him, Aubameyang chased in summer

— Sam Lee (@Sammy_Goal) October 19, 2016

It was foreign to the striker. Even when the club had four centre-forwards on their books and plenty of competition for Aguero, he was still the first name on the teamsheet when he was fit and available. It was always a question of which of the likes Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko or Alvaro Negredo would partner him. 

So to be benched for a key fixture when there are only two recognised forwards at the club—and the other is a youngster, as Kelechi Iheanacho is still developing as a player—shows the boss isn’t afraid to take big decisions if he isn’t getting what he wants. Guardiola would prefer no striker at all than one who doesn’t fit his system.

Equally, Guardiola may have been unhappy with the forward at that time, since Aguero had continued to represent his country despite not feeling 100 per cent following a muscle …

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