A host of changes in various positions is expected to take place in Pep Guardiola’s squad coming summer as the manager seeks the perfect core of options who could adapt to his style of play seamlessly. And one of the biggest concern for City has been regarding their star striker Sergio Aguero, who saw his first team chances come under threat for the first time since joining the club in the summer of 2011.
And given that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has already preferred the club’s newest recruit, Gabriel Jesus, over the experienced striker once, there is every chance that it might happen again. The 28-year-old’s style of play doesn’t rely on heavy work rate, something which Guardiola wants from his forwards and this might finally lead the Argentine forward to leave the club at the end of the season.
Now with a forward like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the verge of leaving Borussia Dortmund, Guardiola can see the Gabon international filling his position, and is reportedly in hot pursuit of him. Aubameyang could be the perfect fit for the Premier league although his stronger attributes differ hugely from that of Aguero. The 187cm tall striker could give a tough challenge to Premier league defenders who rely on brute strength and aerial domination.
The 2015 African Footballer of the Year has raw pace and tremendous finishing skills. A centre-forward by nature, Aubameyang is extremely strong in the air and could actually finish off the perfectly measured crosses put in by the likes of Jesus Navas, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva.
His ability is evident by his goal tally for the German side this season. He has scored 21 goals in 21 appearances so far in Bundesliga and seven Champions League goals in seven outings. He was the man of the match in Dortmund’s 4-0 thrashing of Benfica in the Champions League round of 16 as they progressed to the next round in the midweek.
A Milan youth product, Aubameyang spent loan stints with FCO Dijon, LOSC Lille, AS Monaco and AS Saint-Étienne before Saint Etienne bought him permanently in 2012. Dortmund recognised his talent in France and brought him in the next year. In these four years with Dortmund, Aubameyang has scored 75 goals in 117 appearances.
With a shot accuracy of 69%, which is better than most high-profile strikers in Europe at the moment, his average passing accuracy is 76% and wins 40% of his average duels. His work rate could be a huge asset for City, although they are likely to face tough competition from Real Madrid in landing him.
