Man City legend Sergio Aguero has said that he could have joined Chelsea in the summer of 2017.
The Blues had just become Premier League champions, and head coach Antonio Conte wanted Aguero to replace the outgoing Diego Costa.
However, the Argentinian international said his move to Stamford Bridge was called off at the very last moment:
Most Read on Man City News
“In 2017, I was on the verge of going to Chelsea and then Manchester City cancelled the deal in the last minute. Conte wanted me with Hazard. Diego Costa was leaving.”
Why were Man City looking to sell Aguero?
At the time, manager Pep Guardiola and the player were not on the same page. The Catalan had just experienced a tough first season at the Etihad, and he was keen to reshape the squad in his own image.
Aguero was not the type of striker that he wanted, but the pair ultimately resolved their differences. Speaking back in 2021 about how his relationship with Guardiola developed, the former City star said:
“I never had problems with Guardiola. I never argued with him. We did have to clarify things. When he arrived, as we did not know each other, we had a bit of a trial run. The last three years have been fantastic. Nothing to say.”
“He is a coach who always wants the maximum. If he has a party idea in his head, he does it. He does not care if he has to leave out the team that had scored three goals in the last games. The name of the player does not matter. Unless it’s Messi.”
Aguero went on to win 11 more trophies
If he had parted ways with the Cityzens in 2017, the forward would not have become the club’s all-time leading scorer, and he would have also missed the most successful period in City’s history.
Aguero would help secure three more Premier League titles, an FA Cup, four Carabao Cups and three Community Shields.
Want more news on Man City? Add Man City News as a preferred source on Google