The Argentina striker reached the finals of the Copa Am rica tournament in Chile due to which – along with compatriots Pablo Zabaleta and Mart n Demichelis, as well as Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho – it is likely that he will miss the start of the Manchester City season
Manchester City could be without key players Sergio AgA?ero, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernandinho as well as Mart n Demichelis for the start of the 2015-2016 Barclays Premier League season after manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that the players who took part in the Copa Am rica would be eased in, in order to prepare them for the long season.
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AgA?ero could miss the start of the season, possibly including Chelsea FC clash
The Argentinian international will once again have a key role to play if Manchester City are to have any success in the coming season, and manager Manuel Pellegrini has recognised the need to ease the 27-year-old in rather than rushing his return.
Pellegrini was quoted by England’s Mail Online as saying: “I think in football ita s so important to work hard but also resting has the same importance. You have so many games throughout the year that if you dona t give them 30 days after theya ve finished their internationals, ita s very difficult for them to work hard.
Aguero, Zabaleta and Fernandinho could be rested for City’s opening Premier League games #mcfc http://t.co/rmJ4oceBsC
a MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) July 24, 2015
“Ita s more difficult for the South American players because Pablo Zabaleta, Mart n Demichelis, Sergio AgA?ero and Fernandinho finished later, the first days of July, so they wona t have 30 days. I think when we return to Manchester they will start their pre-season. Maybe they will not be involved in the first game but I am sure they will work hard and will be involved as soon as they can.”
Sterling addition could allow AgA?ero prolonged rest
The addition of A?49 million man Raheem Sterling could potentially allow Manchester City to rest the Argentinian striker for the start of the season. Pellegrini has used Sterling up front in City’s pre-season games against AS Roma and Real Madrid, and the Englishman has already shown a great deal of promise playing in that role.
Although there is little chance that AgA?ero will miss the Chelsea game – taking place on the second weekend of the Premier League season – Pellegrini could use Sterling up front in the club’s opener against West Bromwich Albion to allow the former Atl tico Madrid striker enough time to rest and prepare himself for the clash against Mourinho’s men.
With new signing Fabian Delph suffering an injury against Real Madrid in Friday’s friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Pellegrini will be hoping Fernandinho can get back up to speed as soon as possible, with Manchester City having lost the likes of James Milner and Frank Lampard who could have filled in in central midfield.
Given City have the reliable Bacary Sagna as a right-back otpion, as well as the likes of Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and Jason Denayer for the centre-back position, the return of Zabaleta and Demichelis will not be as much of a worry to Pellegrini.
Manchester City will conclude their pre-season preparations with friendlies against a Vietnam XI followed by Bundesliga side Stuttgart before taking on West Brom in their Premier League opener on the 10th of August.