Aguero should be named player of the season for a third time

By Peter Hampshire, Thu 11 May 2017 11:36


Aguero should be named player of the season for a third timeArgentinian striker has netted 31 times for the Blues in an otherwise disappointing campaign

With three Argentinians taking the player-of-the-season crown in four of the last seven seasons at the Etihad, 31-goal Sergio Aguero could be set to continue that proud Albiceleste tradition. While it looks as though he may be beaten to the Golden Boot by Romelu Lukaku, the World Cup runner-up has been as reliable as ever.

Richard Dunne may have won four consecutive end-of-season awards, but gone are the days of defenders at City – such as his 1999 award-winning counterpart Gerard Wiekens – sweeping up the awards.

Wiekens, who played 182 times for City from 1997-2004, is part of an illustrious list of City players to have been given the honour; Kevin De Bruyne, being a mainstay under Pep Guardiola this season, won the award last season, with the Belgian joining fellow countryman Vincent Kompany in the record books.

Proving to managers across the Premier League that they should never let their young talent leave too early, De Bruyne's consistent threat on the wing was integral in an exciting Champions League run. Particularly impressive was his stand-out performance as Barcelona visited the Etihad.

While City have looked devoid of a creative spark at times through the absence of David Silva, his low return of a mere three goals in 31 appearances surely rules him out of contention; disappointing for someone given such roaming freedom.

Silva's position may be in doubt for the first time at the Etihad with the rise of Gabriel Jesus, but Aguero fired himself above Ryan Giggs, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Didier Drogba this year towards 120 goals in the all-time Premier League goalscorers' charts.

Gluts of goals have provided respite for Sergio from his dismal Argentina form of late and City would have undoubtedly have struggled this term without his firepower as only Raheem Sterling managed double figures elsewhere throughout Guardiola's squad.

Despite their lack of variation in their source of goals, a dependable Aguero ensured that City have remained in the pundits' tips when playing both home and away this season. For instance, Footy Accumulators, a tipping site that compiles the best offers, urged punters to include a City away win in their 'acca' selections throughout the season.

It's not just in front of goal that Aguero has impressed this year, winning 48 percent of duels over the course of the season, plus laying on 26 chances for others in the Premier League. The former Atletico Madrid man, who has been linked with an unlikely move to Manchester United, also shone on the big stage in the Champions League, scoring five in seven as City improved, at least in terms of performance.

City's top scorer in derby matches in the Premier League era, Aguero is the key fixture as City look to secure Champions League football once more ahead of their neighbours.

The Argentinian's latest boss is known for a ruthless streak on his way to the top, which could cut short any talk of a testimonial-grabbing ten seasons in a City shirt. However, goals in seven of his last eight games ensured City enjoyed a relatively successful end to the season. Without him, it could have been a catastrophe for Guardiola's men.

Picture credit: Sergio Aguero via Facebook