Sergio Aguero Weighs in on Manchester City’s Future and Transfer Rumours

Former Manchester City and Argentinian superstar Sergio Aguero is quietly optimistic that his former team can repair the early-season damage inflicted upon them and has hinted that this could be done by making some impressive moves in the transfer market. The scorer of the goal that clinched the Cityzens’ first Premier League title against QPR in that famous 3-2 in 2012 was speaking to Stake in his role as Stake.com’s Global Football Ambassador.

Stake is a crypto online casino and sportsbook with a keen eye on soccer, particularly the English Premier League. They agreed on a deal in 2022 to make the legendary Argentinian their ambassador, citing his excitement to join the company and collaborate and share his extensive soccer knowledge and insights. It came at a time when the Premier League reached a peak in its popularity. Globally, more than $80 billion is placed on England's leading soccer competition.

Argentine Striker Weighs in on Transfer Priorities

In Stake’s Sergio Aguero interview, there was mention of the retired striker's views on potential success for new recruits at the Etihad. After a start that saw City enter 2025 a massive 14 points off the top team Liverpool, who also had a game in hand, all eyes have turned to the January transfer window. With the end of the window rapidly approaching at the time he was speaking, there were a number of names that stood out.

Omar Marmoush, the Egyptian frontman who had been on Eintracht Frankfurt's books, had been making a mockery of Bundesliga predictions with his impressive mid-season goal and assist record. Before joining City, Marmoush had plundered a total of 25 combined goal involvements in the league. 15 of those were goals the young attacker had bagged himself, displaying a level of consistency that even Erling Haaland has struggled for this season, and Aguero has provided some words of encouragement to the young pair.

Pep Will Ensure Marmoush Can Play With Haaland

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of any signing at a superclub like City, where the squad is littered with talent, is how the head coach will fit the new arrivals into the established XI without having a detrimental impact on the side's morale and performance. However, Aguero doesn't see that as being a problem. Instead, he backed Pep Guardiola to accommodate both established talent and new signings.

The 36-year-old responded to the question of whether Marmoush and Haaland could play together, he said, “As for whether he [Marmoush] can play alongside Haaland – why wouldn't he? It’ll depend on the specifics of each match and how Pep sets up the formation.” He went on to invoke memories of his own success when comparing the current scenario to the arrival of now-Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, saying, “[It's] just like Pep found a path to have Gabriel Jesus and I [sic] play together effectively.”

Egyptian Forward Among City's New Additions

As well as being quizzed on the since-completed transfer of the Eintracht Frankfurt forward, Aguero was also questioned about the then-impending, and now completed, transfers of two young centre-backs in Brazilian Victor Reis and Uzbek Abdukodir Khusanovh. The two have arrived for a combined €70 million from Palmeiras and Lens respectively, and these signings look to be similar in profile to those struck for the likes of a young Jerome Boateng in previous years.

Aguero suggested as much when he spoke about the two, explaining that he doesn't expect that the two will be instant first-team stars in the Premier League, saying: “Bringing in young players with high potential is a smart move. They can take their time to bed in and adapt to a new league and team. From what I’ve read, these signings have a lot to offer, and hopefully, they’ll live up to the expectations.” With that in mind, it's likely that the youngsters will be slowly introduced, with the likes of Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji retaining top billing.

The Kids are Alright as Far as Aguero is Concerned

It's not just the addition of new youngsters that has Sergio excited, either. The recent form of tricky Brazilian attacker Savinho has been something of a tonic, even when results were perhaps not going the Cityzens’ way. The 20-year-old has managed a goal and five assists in just 18 appearances so far, which is a promising figure for a young player experiencing his first taste of soccer with an out-and-out title favorite.

On the Brazilian's first foray into English soccer, Aguero was quick to heap praise and point out the exceptional standard of the competition, saying: “What he’s doing now is exactly what he needs to continue doing. It’s no mean feat to arrive at City, or the Premier League for that matter, and have an immediate impact. In the short time he’s been there, he’s shown an immense talent.”

Time for One City Player to Shine

When any side suffers a troublesome period after unprecedented domination, there will always be a player who exemplifies the problem more than most. In City's case, that has ultimately been the case for Jack Grealish. The former Villa winger has never hit the swashbuckling heights he did in the West Midlands, and his exorbitant fee has led some to question his suitability for a Pep side.

Aguero is acutely aware of the Englishman's struggles but has yet to write the star off yet. Despite being a disappointment for much of the 2024/25 campaign, Grealish certainly has the confidence of his fellow Premier League winner, who said:

“Quality doesn’t vanish overnight. I’m confident he’ll work his way back to top form soon enough.”

Champions League Offers a Glimpse of Grealish's Brilliance

The experienced wing wizard may be struggling for form but the Champions League has provided some chance for him to show his undoubted quality. In the crunch fixture against PSG at the Parc de Prince, Grealish struck first before Haaland doubled the City lead. With that said, his good fortunes weren't to last and PSG came from behind to win 4-2.

Before the fixture, Aguero expressed his belief that City were in pole position for the game and that, while it wasn't explicitly a must-win fixture for either side, his former side would be sitting pretty if they had won, saying: “PSG have more riding on it, but for City, getting a good result would leave them in an excellent position.” Instead, the Manchester side are now facing being dumped out of the tournament, sitting in 25th - outside the knockout rounds qualification spots.

A Topsy Turvy Premier League Season

It's not only City that is experiencing what could be seen as something of an anomaly of a campaign. No one would have put serious money on Liverpool starting the post-Jurgen Klopp era with such vigor. Their impressive form across the first half of the season saw them barely relinquish the top spot or even look like being toppled. And then there are those who have had a much more concerning season than the incumbent Premier League champions.

On the other side of the city, Manchester United has been suffering its worst season for 35 years as we sit just past the halfway point. Ruben Amorim has been brought in from Sporting Club de Portugal to replace the outgoing Erik Ten Hag, and the form of the latter's final games carried over into the new men's start.

The Red Devils are facing down the barrel of a season in which they qualify for none of the three European competitions. Aguero, though, does see a potential end to their current spiral.

Manchester Managerial Merry-Go-Round Malaise

As far as the former City star is concerned, the two Manchester clubs’ current lights cannot be compared. While the blue side of the city is experiencing its first sense of temporary turmoil in more than a decade, the red side finds itself at a nadir of sorts, having not won the Premier League in more than a decade and having to settle for a handful of cup competitions, including the Europa League, FA Cup, and League Cup. It's clear to see that there's a real sense of decline at Old Trafford.

Despite the toing-and-froing of personnel at the holder of the record number of Premier League titles, it's evident that there's only one way out that they have yet to seriously commit to, and that is stability. This was a sentiment echoed by Aguero: “United have struggled with instability – changes in managers and players – for several seasons. That inconsistency has made it tough for them to find their best form. They have a new manager now, and he's got a lot to give. I think they'll find a path.”

Arne Slot's Liverpool Remains Firm Favourites

Neither the sports bookmakers or Sergio Aguero see any recent developments as creating a massive shake-up of the outlook for the 2024/25 Premier League season. Having entered the New Year sitting pretty at the top of the pile, the red half of Merseyside has been comfortably installed as firm favorites to see their lead out. When questioned on whether any recent developments had shaken up his Premier League predictions, the Global Football Ambassador was keen to express his belief that the title was still in Liverpool hands.

“At present, Liverpool has racked up a sizable advantage, it's hard to ignore how tough it'd be to erase their point lead,” was the official party line. However, this is a player that is no stranger to final-day drama in England's top flight, and he went on to add: “But this remains the Premier League, and the impossible has happened before. Arsenal and Chelsea are hopeful, and if they keep steady, they'll be in the race. As for City – what can I say but my trademark: they'll fight until the end. I've seen it happen in the flesh.”

Off-Pitch Moves and Future Opportunities in Focus

The Premier League is far from wrapped up but it's safe to say that unless Nottingham Forest pull off the improbable or Chelsea, Arsenal, and City put together a near-unprecedented run of form, it's likely that Anfield will be hosting a victory parade later this year. That's not to say that there is no excitement in this campaign and beyond.

On potential ins and outs, Aguero also speculated that Newcastle Alexander Isak could soon leave, saying: “He's had a brilliant season, with lots of goals under his belt, making him key for Newcastle. Big clubs tend to flock towards scorers.”

He also spoke on whether Salah could match or better his own Premier League goalscoring record. At the time of the interview, the Egyptian sat nine goals behind the City legend's 185 goals and his record included 18 finishes in 21 matches this season. Aguero said that should the Liverpool man continue in this form and creep ahead, it would be “because he deserves it.” He further exemplified his humility and professionalism, saying: "It's not about losing a record; it’s about being part of Premier League history.”

Ex-Teammate of Aguero Set to Embark on Coaching Journey

Speaking recently, Ilkay Gundogan explained that he sees himself taking the plunge and diving into coaching at the end of his playing career. The German has already begun taking his coaching badges with an eye on the move, and Sergio Aguero thinks that should he make the jump, he will be a success.

When asked about the possibility, Aguero gushed about his former teammate: “He's an amazing person, very capable and experienced. If Ilkay sets his mind to pursue this, I think have no doubt [he will] be able to make the transition.”

Gundogan Could Learn From Fellow Pep Disciple

If the City midfielder does get taken under the wing of his legendary Spanish manager, many will look at it as a repeat of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's entry into coaching. The Spaniard served as Manchester City assistant coach for three years before moving to the Emirates Stadium in 2019.

Of note is the fact that Aguero has also been full of praise for Arteta's side, saying: “They've [Arsenal] got great players and a newfound trademark play style. The fans ought to be happy. I'm sure winning the Premier League is their end goal, and I believe it's bound to happen sooner than later.”

Sergio Aguero's Season Far From Over

It's clear to see with his views on a number of topics related to Manchester City and the wider Premier League that Sergio Aguero has more than a little optimism as far as his former side is concerned.

With his confidence remaining strong in his once head coach Pep Guardiola, as well as a clear stamp of approval for the club's focus on youth as it looks to build for the future, fans can take some heart that one of their legends sees blue skies on the horizon.

In terms of the Premier League as a whole, the fact that City is sitting so far off the pace yet is still largely seen as being in the title race with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea is showcasing just why it remains the most popular league in the world.

The Manchester City juggernaut may be hitting the buffers somewhat, but this title race will likely go down to the wire with half of the top half of the table able to clinch it. Time will tell if Aguero's confidence was misplaced, but you wouldn't bet against City.

05.02.2025