Man City boss Pep Guardiola opens up about Sergio Aguero exit after Gabriel Jesus impact

PEP GUARDIOLA says Gabriel Jesus' stunning impact at Manchester City does not signal the beginning of the end for Sergio Aguero.

Posted Saturday, February 04, 2017 by Express.co.uk

Sergio Aguero is still firmly part of Manchester City's plans

Aguero has missed the last two games when City have scored seven goals and Jesus has sparkled in a pacy, young forward line alongside Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.

It has prompted speculation that Real Madrid will renew their long-standing interest in Aguero, who is 29 in June, but Guardiola says the Argentinian - the third highest scorer in City's history - is still very much part of his future plans and can play alongside Brazilian Jesus.

"I understand the debate," he said. "But there is no doubt about the quality of Sergio. I can say how happy I am with what he did - except the seven games when he was banned.

"The big clubs in Europe - Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus - always have a lot of strikers and we need that as well. This club had Sergio, [Carlos] Tevez, [Edin] Dzeko and [Mario] Balotelli all together at one stage.

"Sergio remains the most - or one of the most - important players in our squad. Without him it will not be possible to have success. He has played all the games except one in Barcelona for a tactical decision and one when he had come back from Argentina.

"The other games when he was not banned he always played - and played good. But now I have seven strikers, if you include everyone who plays up front like the wingers. Now I have many options up front.

"Gabriel has played good since he arrived and that's why he has been playing. But they can play together because in Brazil, Gabriel played on they left side. He likes to play on the left, with the movement in the diagonals, like he was doing in the last two games.

"Both can play together because Gabriel is not just one in behind, he is good in the box, he is a fighter. His working back is really good, that is why he can help us a lot. I love the players who work back and help the team and show me that desire to keep the ball, to attack again. I love that."

Jesus, 19, has hit the ground running since joining City from Palmeiras in a £27million move last month.

"He had a goal disallowed after coming on as a substitute against Tottenham, set up a goal at Crystal Palace on his full debut and then scored and claimed an assist in his third appearance at West Ham.

But Guardiola says there is a lot more to come, especially when Jesus has learned English. "He's only 19 years old but he has settled quickly," he said. "He speaks enough English words to understand us but he's taking lessons every single day. That means a lot for us. We want him to settle in the right way as quickly as possible.

"In the three games he has played he has shown a lot in terms of desire. He has helped us with high-pressing intensity and his movements in the box. Even when he comes in the middle to play, he has the ability to share the ball with his team-mates so we are happy with him. But there's a lot to improve."

Guardiola has, meanwhile, left the door open for calamity keeper Claudio Bravo to win back his first-team place.

The Chile international was axed for the 4-0 win at West Ham on Wednesday in favour of back-up Willy Caballero who had kept a clean sheet played in last Saturday's FA Cup win at Crystal Palace.

But Guardiola insists Bravo could return against Swansea tomorrow: "I just felt Willy should play. But I still haven't decided [about tomorrow]. I am happy because in the big clubs they always have good goalkeepers and I have it and I am going to decide, it depends on what I see.

"Goalkeepers are like all players, I am not a guy who plays the same 11 all the time for two months.

"Claudio is a huge professional. He is not a young guy, he has a lot of experience. I explained my feelings and he understood. He is strong enough. One of the biggest qualities of Claudio is his strong personality.

"If not, he could not play as the Chile captain winning the Copa Americas and playing for teams like Barcelona where the pressure is a thousand times higher than here."