Exclusive: Sergio Aguero names three former Manchester City stars he would bring back to help new Pep Guardiola side | OneFootball

Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has reminisced on some of his former Etihad Stadium teammates this week during a new conversation with City Xtra.

The Argentine striker, who remains the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 260 strikes, has often spoken fondly of the players he linked up with during his decade in sky blue.

From the early days of City’s transformation under Roberto Mancini to the all-conquering dominance under Pep Guardiola, Aguero’s career is defined not just by goals, but by the partnerships he formed with some of the finest players to ever grace the Etihad Stadium.

In the years since Aguero’s 2021 departure to Barcelona, Manchester City have continued to evolve, welcoming in new stars such as Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and Josko Gvardiol while saying goodbye to names like Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan, and Aymeric Laporte. But while the club continues to look forward, its greatest icons are frequently asked to reflect on what made City’s rise to dominance so successful in the first place.

Aguero has never hidden his admiration for players like David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, who consistently supplied him with the passes that made him so deadly in front of goal. He has also previously spoken glowingly about his chemistry with Yaya Touré, Vincent Kompany, and Pablo Zabaleta – figures who defined City’s golden era.

Now, speaking exclusively to City Xtra on behalf of Stake.com, Sergio Aguero has name-dropped three former Manchester City stars when asked which of his teammates he would bring back into the team today to help for the now-ongoing season.

“I’ve been lucky to have shared the field with many amazing players. Every one of them brought something unique, and then there’s our personal chemistry working together to account for,” said the former Argentine forward.

“I always said that my best partnerships were with Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, with many accomplishments to back that statement,” he continued. “But others were great to play with too. My point is that teams are the sum of these types of partnerships being built upon on the field.

“That cannot be bottled in a can, so there’s not much point of naming someone in particular. That being said, having a player like Kevin or David is essential to success. City has Rodri – sure, he plays a different position but he’s got quality to spare and will have a very impactful return.

“Phil Foden is sure to pick back up the pace and become a key piece of the puzzle. And if you are a striker, assists are the most wanted currency – [Rayan] Cherki seems like he’ll be able to provide that type of resource for the offensive line.”

Looking towards the current iteration of the Manchester City squad, Aguero was also asked which players he would have wanted to play alongside, to which he told City Xtra, “The ones I’ve played [with] in the past! Rodri, Foden I’ve name-dropped already, and I’d add Bernardo and Gundo [Ilkay Gundogan]. Of the ones I’ve never played with, Haaland is one.”

Aguero’s picks underline his understanding of balance in Guardiola’s squad. With David Silva now retired and Gundogan seemingly approaching the end of his top-level career, the midfielder profiles he highlights – creativity, composure, and vision – remain crucial as City adapt to the fresh talents of Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez.

The return of Rodri from injury this season also stands out as one of the most significant boosts Guardiola’s side could hope for, especially with Aguero himself singling out the Spaniard for individual praise.

Looking ahead, Aguero’s comments may stir fresh nostalgia among supporters who still long for the artistry of Silva in particular, but they also shine a light on City’s future direction. With Phil Foden stepping up into a more central role and the likes of Cherki brought in to provide a new creative spark, Pep Guardiola may already be building the next generation of legends.