One to Watch – Sergio Aguero

Name: Sergio Aguero

Date of Birth: 2/6/1988

Nationality: Argentina

Former Clubs: Independiente, Athletico Madrid

League Appearances (Goals): 326 (159)

International Appearances (Goals): 56 (22)

Stat of the Day: Sergio Aguero has scored 11 goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances

Player Profile: At the start of this campaign, City manager Manuel Pellegrini challenged Aguero to do as his talent commanded and claim the Ballon d`Or. Since then the shortlist has come and gone without his name gracing the 23, and this despite him scoring 28 goals in a Championship-winning season. The striker has endured a rather fruitless stretch on the Champions League front and an injury-blighted World Cup saw him finish without a goal to his name; unless the devastating striker can perform on a bigger stage than the much-glorified Premier League, the coveted accolade will remain a battle to be settled by Ronaldo or Messi.

Despite struggling amongst football`s elite, a fresh personalised training schedule implemented upon his return from the World Cup has seen Aguero, thus far, evade his recurring injury problems and the hitman continues to rampage through Premier League defences with ease. 12 goals to his name already this campaign has seen him appear as a clear frontrunner for the top goalscorer honour and the diminutive Argentine looks set to carry the expectations of the Manchester giants as other big-name signings have failed to live up to their reputations. Any match against QPR is bound to be special for Aguero and another opportunity to add to his impressive career goal tally will be lapped up by the striker should the Rs defence fail to deal with his notable talent.

Playing Career:

Sergio Aguero was born in Buenos Aries, Argentina, and entered the youth system of Independiente from an early age. His talents were clear from the outset and he made a name for himself wherever he played. He became the youngster player to debut in the national senior First Division at 15 years and 35 days old – younger than other Argentinean exponents such as Maradona, Tevez and Javier Saviola. In 2005, a year and a half later, Sergio became a regular in Independiente`s main squad and quickly became the idol of the crowds. In 2006 he had to part from his beloved team as he signed for Athletico Madrid for 23 million Euros – a record-breaking figure for the country. He had made 54 appearances for the club, scoring 23 goals along the way.

Aguero soon managed to win the hearts of the Colchoneros with his impressive performances. Following the departure of Fernando Torres, the 19 year-old became Madrid`s most important player, winning many plaudits after scoring 19 league goals in his second season at the Estadio Vicente Calderon. During his time at Athletico Madrid, he was part of the Argentine Olympic team that took gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and assisted Madrid in winning the UEFA Super Cup in 2010. During his five seasons in Spain, Aguero managed a total of 101 goals in all competitions, and having attracted interested from many of the big clubs around Europe he joined Manchester City for £38 million in 2011.

Aguero scored twice on his City debut against Swansea and finished his first season in Manchester with the Premier League title and 24 league goals to his name. Although injuries took their toll on Aguero`s second season at the club, the Quilmes-born hitman did still manage to weigh in with a respectable 12 Premier League goals. He hit the ground running the following season with four goals in his first six Premier League games. He bagged 28 goals in the 2013/2013 campaign, winning his second Premier League title and the Capital One Cup in a 3-1 victory over Sunderland.