Sergio Agüero: 2024-25 Premier League Predictions, Champions League & Playing Under Maradona - Exclusive Interview
The calendar year is coming to an end but the football action still comes thick and fast!
We spoke to Stake.com 's Global Football Ambassador, Sergio Agüero about Manchester City’s dip in form, Cole Palmer’s continued brilliance & what it was like to play for the legendary Diego Maradona!
There is plenty of attention being focused on Erling Haaland and how much City rely on him during this period. What will be going through his mind as City struggle at the other end of the pitch, and is the added pressure to score affecting his game?
A team is a whole. You can't really separate what's happening on one side of the field and the other. Sometimes, when things don't click in general, every part of the team struggles. City has had (and still has) many injuries across the board. Sure, the team has a deep roster, but that doesn't mean the team is immune to the impact that has to the performance. I think Haaland is doing well, playing very selflessly both on offence and defence. He still scores, and that's his main mission.
Kevin De Bruyne is back from injury but not playing as much as fans would like - why do you think Pep Guardiola has taken time to ease him back? Is there a problem there? His contract is up at the end of the season and there have been no talks - what do you think he should do, and what should City do?
He needed to pick the pace back up after the injury, and he's been achieving it gradually. As a matter of fact, he was in the main team last match and he proved that his talent remains as sharp as ever. Kevin is a major part of the team in every possible way. His return has reinvigorated the team, you can tell that much. As for what's to come... we'll have to see. But I think Kevin is key to City's game and so I hope he remains part of the club.
What should Manchester City’s aim be this season?
The usual: keep fighting until the very end. We stumbled at the beginning, but we are still in the race and it's just midseason. There's a long way to go and no telling what's to happen. The Premier League has always been prone to upsets and surprises – many teams had a rough start to the season and came out on top, and the opposite is also true. So we can't really foresee what's going to happen. So the aim should always be the same: win.
If the Premier League is out of reach, is the Champions League still achievable? Or is an FA Cup the minimum expectation?
City aims to take it all. I don't think there's any need to resize our goals at this time of the season. It may look a bitter cloudier right now, but this is Manchester City. Time after the time, we've proven that we don't throw the towel.
What is your opinion on Pep Guardiola’s reaction to the Anfield crowd where he held up six fingers? Was it a strong message or embarrassing?
I don't get the hubbub about this. It was a natural reaction to what Liverpool's side was chanting. Did Pep say anything that wasn't factual? We've won six Premier League titles over the last few years and that's a cold hard fact.
Pep Guardiola has been reportedly stuck in his office until late hours and uncontactable as he’s trying to figure out a solution to Man City’s problems, did he ever do this while you were at the club?
Not that I remember. Knowing Pep, who likes to analyse every detail when trying to forge ahead, I'm sure that's kept him busy. But what's always struck me is that he's a man of conviction, and he's always been confident in his style. That's his trademark, something that he'd always tell us. And it's one of the traits that make him great.
Erling Haaland told Mikel Arteta to ‘stay humble’ after the 2-2 draw with Arsenal and has only scored three Premier League goals since. Arsenal fans are constantly reminding him of hiscomments on his social media posts, has that got to his head?
Seems to me like they are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Erling has scored plenty of goals, and there's plenty more of those to come.
Should Phil Foden take more responsibility? He’s not a kid anymore and the PFA POTY, does he need to do more?
I think Phil's got nothing to prove. He's a brilliant player, and he's racked up a great amount of experience in spite of his age. He's won many things for the team and he's tallied a good amount of feats at the personal and team level. Phil's also been hit with injuries that prevented him from keeping a consistent level. And yet Phil remains the present and the future of Manchester City.
What are your perfect transfers for January? The main rumour is Zubimendi to Man City, can he fix a lot of problems? If not, then who would?
My preferences really don't play much into it. The injuries of Rodri and Kovacic (less lengthy but still meaningful) have left that part of the field wanting. I'd assume that's where we'll likely see a new signing but I don't have a particular horse in the race.
Could Man City bring back Cole Palmer? He said he never wanted to leave the cub in the first place.
I truly have no clue. Cole did have a massive impact at Chelsea and he's having a very good performance, for what it's worth.
Is this season very similar to 19/20, where Liverpool ran away with the league?
That remains to be seen. No season is really like any other. Liverpool has built up a distance but there's four or five teams in the prowl. Before, we only had two contenders. It's too soon for comparisons. We'll see what's to come.
Are Liverpool the best team in Europe?
They are doing very well at present. Strong at the Premier, solid in the Champions League. But I'd save the accolade of "best in Europe this year" for when the season is over.
Mohamed Salah has been open and honest about his contract negotiations, is it a wise move or do you think it’s wrong he’s highlighted that?If Salah goes, could Liverpool attract a new world-class right winger? Maybe Bukayo Saka if Arsenal continue to miss out on trophies?
So, I've read a little about this over the past few hours, and as I understand, Salah's renewed contract with Liverpool for two more seasons. I think this should clear all doubts about his future. He remains a key player and a fresh contract is the best news Liverpool could receive.
High-profiled journalists are reporting that Virgil van Dijk has been offered a new contract by Liverpool, how crucial is he to their success and is he the hardest defender you’ve played against?
What Salah means as a vital player for Liverpool's offensive layout, Van Djik is to its defense. He's shown this throughout the years, and I think he's been able to give Liverpool a steadiness that was simply not there before he arrived. He's a tremendous defender. I've squared off against him many times and those moments really stuck with me because he's really tough to overcome. Let's say I was able to win that duel some times, and sometimes I did not. He will wait at the ready for the striker to come, and the moment they push the ball forward, Virgil can stride and intercept them at full speed, completely blocking the move.
Do you expect Arsenal to challenge Liverpool for the title, or are they too far away?
No contender is truly off the fray just yet. As I've said, there's still half a season to play out. Lots of points to be won and lots of them will slip out of reach too. Never forget: we are talking about the Premier League.
Can Chelsea compete for the title? Cole Palmer seems to think it’s too early to tell.
Chelsea has steadily risen its level. Remember earlier this season when I said they were a young-but-talented team? They've been getting the experience they needed along the way. That starts to show. A new manager has helped too. It'll be constancy that decides the winner at the end of this season.
What do Man City have to do differently to not replicate another 4-1 loss to Ruben Amorim this season?
This time, both teams arrive at a unique juncture. City is bouncing back, United a little worse for wear due to the latest results. A derby can afford any type of outcome though – past results have no bearing on each side. They mean a lot to us.
Is Marcus Rashford the main danger man for them? Or someone else?
He's not the only one you should watch out for, that's for sure. All great teams have many players that can be a threat, even more so in a derby with a lot at stake.
What is your score prediction for the Manchester derby?
Tough and hard-fought match to come. As all Manchester derbies have been. They are very enjoyable for the players, we are always fired up to win them. As usual, I trust City will play its part brilliantly.
What was it like to play for Diego Maradona in the 2010 World Cup?
It was my first World Cup, and as such, it was an amazing experience. I was 22 back then, just had a great season at Atleti so being summoned for the national squad came naturally. Having Diego as a manager was very special – he represents a lot of things to all Argentineans. I didn't get to play much, we had an amazing team. Despite having a great start, Germany knocked us out. It was a tough loss. But as I said, the experience was really significant for me.
Do you have any of Maradona’s shirts in your collection, or any mementos that were gifted by him?
I still have some souvenirs in my personal museum. One of my favorites is the captain's armband that Diego wore – he gave it to me for my last match for Atleti against Mallorca, when I was captain myself.
For more Premier League and Champions League news and insights, read our EPL picks and UCL predictions blog , and stay up to date with our exclusive Agüero interviews on the Stake Blog before placing your bets at Stake Sportsbook.
