Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero is undoubtedly one of the best strikers we have ever seen in the Premier League.
The Argentine pitched up at the Etihad Stadium in 2011, transferring from Atletico Madrid for around £38 million. Aguero’s £38 million fee would be £166.7 million today taking into account inflation.
The star made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his debut in a 4-0 win for City against Swansea City at the Etihad.
That would be the start of a very special stint at the club, and Sergio Aguero regularly wowed fans with his deadly finishing.
Aguero spent 10 seasons at the Etihad, and is the club’s record goalscorer with 260.
There was much sadness when he left the club, although it was something that felt on the cards given he had struggled in his last season.
But Aguero recently gave an interview about how his exit actually came about, admitting he did want to stay at the club for another year.
- READ MORE: Who is Sergio Aguero? Step inside the life of the Premier League icon with 260 Man City goals
What Sergio Aguero said about leaving Man City
Aguero is quoted by the Mirror as saying: “I had the contract until 2021 and Manchester City, five or six months before, told me that they weren’t going to renew me. So I started looking for a club and that’s how it was.
“Obviously, I wanted to continue because for me, City was my home. I wanted maybe one more year especially because I was willing to be on the bench if necessary.
“In the last year, I had already been playing occasionally with Pep, so I was willing to help from another side because I felt that staying one more year in the Premier League, even from the bench and playing little, would serve me physically for the World Cup.”
“But you have to understand that the club also needed changes. It was a decision of the club and I think it was also very correct, because they also needed a replacement and maybe staying at City to be there as a substitute wasn’t the right thing for the club. So the best thing was to look for a club and that’s how it was. It was their decision and I obviously took it very well.”
Man City fans not happy with Aguero treatment
On social media, City fans have been left a little saddened by Aguero’s admission.
Some feel as though his treatment should have been better. And a few even suggested they can see a similar situation unfolding with Kevin De Bruyne.
@HeIsFinallyHere said: “I don’t know what’s wrong with our management but the fact that that’s how they treat legends in the final years of their contracts is really embarrassing. Same thing happened to Gundogan last year and now KDB Next. One day, KDB will come back and share a similar emotional story.”
@blvqck added: “Strange behaviour from the club; same thing they’re doing with KDB this season.”
@_nvmnd_ said: “It pains me but also makes me love kun even more.”
@Portlocks said: “Strange decision as Aguero always delivered even when Pep hardly played him. Even stranger, when he keeps playing Gundo, Bernardo now when they are giving us nothing.”
@AJYFTBLL said: “This has actually made me so sad.”
Man City were right to move on from Aguero when they did
Some City fans are slightly upset by Aguero’s remarks, and the fact that the club did not sign a striker straight away to replace him.
But in truth, Aguero had fitness problems regularly in his final term, and even the player has admitted that it was probably the right call for the club to move him on.
| Sergio Aguero’s final season at Man City |
| Appearances – 20 |
| Minutes played – 720 |
| Goals – 6 |
| Assists – 1 |
The frustration perhaps comes from City not signing a striker when Aguero left, with Erling Haaland only arriving in the summer of 2022.
City did win the Premier League title in the first season after Aguero’s exit.
But the club only reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League, so perhaps the club might have kept Aguero on just as an option.
