Manchester City icon Sergio Aguero has reflected on his earliest days in the Premier League, explaining how his teammates helped him make an instant impact.
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Arriving in the English top-flight under the weight of a significant transfer fee can unnerve even the most gifted young attackers, yet few have adjusted with the lethal efficiency Sergio Aguero showcased from day one in Manchester.
Signed from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011 for £38 million at just 23-years-old, the Argentina international forward returned an extraordinary 30-goal haul during a maiden year crowned by the most dramatic title-clinching moment the modern era has seen.
Sergio Aguero subsequently cemented his place as Manchester City’s greatest ever goalscorer across a decorated 10-year stay, claiming a multitude of major honours and working under all of Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini, and Pep Guardiola.
Now, discussing how he settled so seamlessly into life at the Etihad Stadium and in Manchester, the Argentine icon has credited the culture cultivated by those around him within the City squad.
Aguero: Internal drive and the burden of the fee
Speaking during a brand new conversation with FourFourTwo, Sergio Aguero revealed that his explosive start at Manchester City owed much to a personal determination to repay the hierarchy’s heavy financial outlay.
“Why did I adapt to English football so quickly? Firstly, because of the desire I had. I always had a desire to compete, I always wanted to give a little bit more,” Aguero explained.
“I wanted to make a great history at Manchester City, and also because of the fee that they paid Atletico, I wanted to leave them satisfied with the money they’d spent. I wanted to perform well for them, so they realised it was a good investment.”
Many fans will remember Sergio Aguero’s sensational Etihad Stadium debut, where he came off the substitutes' bench to chip in with a brace and an assist for David Silva as his new team demolished Swansea City 4-0.
At least from the outside, there appeared to be no settling-in period to speak of as the striker made a decisive contribution to Manchester City’s eventual title win over rivals Manchester United.
Seasoned leaders bridged the language barrier
While personal ambition drove standards, the legendary striker stressed that his environment proved just as fundamental. Having spent his entire prior life in Spanish-speaking countries, communicating in England initially created a steep obstacle.
Rather than feeling uneasy, however, Sergio Aguero was welcomed by experienced figures already within the Manchester City squad at the time, who went out of their way to ensure he felt at home.
“There were many other reasons why I adapted so well,” Aguero recalled. “The players that were in that Manchester City team...they were very easy to play with. David Silva, with Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli, Gareth Barry, Vincent Kompany, James Milner… they were leaders, too.”
There is certainly no shortage of strong personalities in the names Aguero listed. Vincent Kompany is still Manchester City’s most-decorated captain ever, and David Silva inherited the armband after the Belgian’s departure.
Aguero’s compatriots Pablo Zabaleta and Carlos Tevez were also at the club when he arrived, though the latter famously spent much of the 2011/12 season shut out of the first team following a dispute with the club’s management.
“There were many good players, which made it much easier for me, and the English guys treated me really well,” the 38-year-old added.
“I struggled a lot with English, but they tried their best and helped me to understand them. I never had a fight with the English players because they were always very respectful. It was all really nice for me.”
That collective warmth helped provide the foundation for a side that would dominate the English game for years to come. At a time when Manchester City have navigated another period of significant turnover in the dressing room, Sergio Aguero’s memories are a good reminder of just how valuable strong mentorship and team spirit can be.