We’ll come to that shortly, but the Premier League’s official website has looked in detail at the stats behind Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus’ occasional partnership up front for the Blues.
It’s a bit of a conundrum for boss Pep Guardiola who has two world class strikers at his disposal but highly effective formations that often require just one of the South American pair rather than both.
READ: Jesus looking forward to more Aguero time
VIEW: Wolves at the door gallery
Earlier this week, Jesus argued he believes he and Aguero can be an effective partnership and premierleague.com agree.
They write: “The stats back up Jesus’s view that City score more goals when both strikers start.
“Since Jesus joined in January 2017, Pep Guardiola‘s side have played 57 matches in the top flight.
“Aguero has started up front without the Brazilian in 27 of those, with City scoring 66 goals at an average of 2.44 per match.
“In the 19 that Jesus has started without Aguero alongside him, that average rises to 2.74.
“But in the nine matches that the two have started together, 32 goals have been scored at an average of 3.6.
“That average dropped to 1.5 goals per match in the two matches where neither started, highlighting their importance to City’s attack.
“Despite their improved scoring rate when they start together, the pair’s link-up play for goals can still improve.
“Although Aguero has set up four goals for Jesus, the Brazilian has yet to return the favour in the PL, something he will hope to have the chance to do at Molineux this weekend.”
One for Pep to decide on!
Back to the skipper and his 10-year overview interview premiered on mancity.com yesterday afternoon.
If you’ve not seen it yet, now’s your chance…
Meanwhile, The Telegraph’s James Ducker focuses on Kompany’s immediate intentions, writing: “Kompany has hinted at his desire to continue playing for Manchester City next season.
“The City captain is out of contract next summer but he marked the 10th anniversary of his signing for the club on Wednesday by insisting he still feels he has a lot to offer manager Pep Guardiola going forward.
“Kompany has been plagued by injuries in recent years but he has continually overcome doubts about his future by making a series of comebacks and believes he is still improving as a player.
“The 32-year-old said he would be ‘connected with City for the rest of my life’, but while the prospect of management, coaching or even an executive type role are all thought to appeal to the player in the long-term, his focus remains firmly on extending his playing days at the moment.
‘I think what people have never really understood with me is that aside from having had some injuries I’m actually really lucky to be a really good athlete naturally so I still feel mobile, I still feel strong, that I’m improving and I’m learning so much more about the game,’ Kompany said in an interview with the City website.”
Finally, Benjamin Mendy has no plans to stop entertaining his many followers on social media any time soon, but has promised to follow Pep’s advice to maybe tone things down a tad.
The Daily Mail report: “Meanwhile, Benjamin Mendy has vowed not to change his outlook on social media but promised to put his phone away in the dressing room. Guardiola (right) last week said he hopes the left back can ‘forget a little bit about social media and focus’.
“Mendy said: ‘I don’t change but in the dressing room I don’t use my phone at all. I know the fans love it but the manager is the chief of the team so when he says something I have to listen to him.’
Wise words, Ben!
We’ll be back tomorrow with more gossip and build-up to Saturday’s game with Wolves.
