Manchester City have had a number of high-profile strikers in recent years and a lot of their new found success has revolved around a free-flowing attacking display which has been based on and made possible by talented players in advanced areas.
Roberto Mancini preferred to have a quartet of strikers and individually they were players who were capable of scoring 20 goals each in a season. The lack of opportunities and minutes did not allow them to do that is another matter altogether. The likes of Aguero, Dzeko, Negredo, Jovetic and earlier Balotelli, were effective in their own ways and had a hand in both of City’s league titles.
But with the minutes not equally divided amongst all of them, there were a number of exits and only Aguero stayed back. Now with Iheanacho, the previous season and until the arrival of Jesus in January, these two were the only out and out strikers.
Along with the quantity, the role of a striker has also changed at the Etihad with Pep Guardiola demanding a lot more than any of his predecessors did. He wants the likes of Aguero to be full of running and contribute defensively and help set up goals and be more involved in the goal scoring process than just score them with the final touch. While Pep is still sorting things out as a number of typical Sergio Aguero goals have given them some valuable points till now.
But he has not gone out of his way to praise the Argentine even a single time and has stressed on how much better he can do. He reiterates that to fulfil his potential Aguero has to drastically change his approach and not just be a goalscorer. And there are talks that a contrasting ideology might get in the way of Aguero’s long-term future at the club.
And fresh reports stating that long-term City target, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be allowed to leave his club for an eye-watering figure of £68m has thrown the Argentine’s future at City in fresh doubt.
Pep likes to see his strikers move out wide to make way for the late arrival of the midfielders into the box and considering the fact that Aubameyang started off as a winger would certainly help fulfil that criteria. He is good with his feet and has the ability to get past opponents with quick dribbles and stepovers.
He loves to take on defenders. He thrives in one-on-one situations and is an adept finisher which his 20 goals in 20 games this season proves. His pace and energy make him a dangerous candidate in times of a counterattack and he has already shown big match pedigree with goals in both Champions League games against Real Madrid and that is something City have missed with Aguero growing unusually quiet in big ticket matches.
With Gabriel Jesus also brought in with the long-term future in mind, a summer move for Aubameyang is not off the books and any potential move would certainly bring to an end in the massive dynasty at the Etihad of Sergio Aguero who has etched his name in indelible ink in Manchester City folklore.
