Why Manchester City Need Even More from Sergio Aguero This Season

There were many positives to take from Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Stoke City last weekend.

Kelechi Iheanacho’s introduction was particularly exciting, with his body-swerve dummy in the buildup to City’s fourth probably the highlight of the game. The youngster played a significant role in the two goals that sealed the win, further underlining his quality.

However, Sergio Aguero’s header that put City 2-0 up after 36 minutes was also hugely pleasing for Pep Guardiola. The City boss knows that for his side to reach their full potential this season, Aguero’s form will be vital, and that goal was a perfect demonstration of his penalty-box excellence.

Kevin De Bruyne’s ball in was typically pinpoint—but the way Aguero freed himself from the attentions of Glenn Whelan and Philipp Wollscheid and planted the header firmly past Shay Given was a clear example of his instincts inside the area. It was a wonderful moment of individual brilliance.

City need more from him this season. Despite his remarkable record since moving to the Etihad Stadium back in 2011, he remains outside the elite bracket of players.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have the ability to regularly dominate games, to grab them by the scruff of the neck and drag their side to victory.

https://t.co/TYewWC1P5U Aguero is razor sharp in the opposition box… @btsport

— Matt Smith (@msmith850) February 24, 2016

Luis Suarez has also found more consistency than Aguero in the last two seasons, with his record of 88 goals in 98 games for Barcelona hugely impressive. City’s main man is close to their level, but, as yet, he can’t match their output or influence.

Much of that is down to his injury record. When Aguero gets a run of injury-free matches, he tends to hit the goal-per-game level he craves more consistently.

Indeed, the 2013/14 season was a perfect snapshot of his City career. The first half of the season saw him fit and in top form. He scored 25 goals in 21 games between the 3-0 win away at Viktoria Plzen in September and the 5-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur at the end of January—his best run in a City shirt.

His injury at White Hart Lane saw him miss the next five weeks, and when he returned, he managed just two goals in his last nine …

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