Why Aguero’s Argentina fitness gamble shouldn’t bother Man City
Published:
Sergio Aguero is set to roll the dice with his fitness ahead of Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay, a move which has previously backfired to rule him out of domestic action for Manchester City.
The diminutive striker, who was taken off after 73 minutes in Friday’s battle against Peru, was revealed to have an adductor problem following that match, but has moved to declare his availability for the second leg of the international break.
Around this time last year, Aguero took a similar gamble while away on duty with La Albiceleste, but wasn’t able to come through on that occasion and ended up missing six matches for City as a result.
“When you’re at the national team you always want to take part, but the last time, for wanting to continue, I ended up injured against Ecuador. Sometimes you think: ‘Why didn’t I stop?” Aguero said.
Whether the 28-year-old’s decision pays off or not, the Citizens should not fret over losing their star man.
Pep Guardiola’s side have already coped easily without the former Atletico Madrid goal-getter, winning all three games after Aguero was suspended for an elbow on West Ham’s Winston Reid in August.
The Citizens also prevailed when resting the striker for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest, giving them a 100 per cent record this season without Aguero.
In addition, striking understudy Kelechi Iheanacho shone when placed under the spotlight. The Nigerian scored in two of the four games he’s started in place of his Argentine teammate thus far, continuing his impressive scoring rate during his City career.
The 10/11 Premier League favourites host Everton in their first assignment following the international break, although it remains to be seen whether they’ll be battling the Toffees with Aguero or Iheanacho leading the line.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
