Pep Guardiola shows Sergio Aguero his love and urges the prolific marksman to stay at City for years
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has denied suggestions that Sergio Aguero does not feature in his long-term plans and has urged the prolific marksman to remain at the Etihad Stadium for many years to come.
Despite scoring 147 goals in 187 City appearances, Guardiola chose to start Aguero on the substitutes’ bench for his side’s Champions League hammering by Barcelona at Camp Nou last week.
Guardiola has frozen out a number of big-hitters from previous years, such as midfielder Yaya Toure, goalkeeper Joe Hart, who is currently on loan at Torino, and Samir Nasri, but insists Aguero is not in that category.
“I want to be clear again.” said Guardiola. “I am so happy with Sergio and hopefully he can stay for a long time here. I want from deep in my heart that he can stay here and play with us.
“He is a special player and he is a striker who scores millions of goals in his career. I know for strikers it depends on the moment, but we cannot forget how many goals he scores for us.”
City face rivals Manchester United in the fourth round of the EFL Cup at Old Trafford on Wednesday looking to arrest a five-match winless run. United are only in marginally better form having notched one win in their last four games.
Guardiola will be unable to call on the services of playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, who injured his calf during Sunday’s Premier League tussle with Southampton, and has confirmed that he will shuffle his pack.
Academy players Angelino and Aleix Garcia featured in City’s starting line-up during their victory over Swansea in the last round, while Brahim Diaz and Tosin Adarabioyo came on during the second half.
“We’re going to rotate,” added Guardiola. “Several players are going to play for sure. First because they deserve; second because the last game was a tough, tough game. After Southampton, people are tired.”
United, meanwhile, will be without Ivorian centre-half Eric Bailly, who is set for two months on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury during his side’s 4-0 thrashing at Chelsea on Sunday. Marouane Fellaini is also a doubt.
Academy players Angelino and Alex Garcia featured in City’s starting line-up during their victory over Swansea in the last round, while Brahim Diaz and Tosin Adarabioyo came on during the second half.