Monday 6 March 2017 21:13, UK
Jamie Carragher thinks Pep Guardiola's decision to challenge Sergio Aguero and get the striker to adapt his style of play is looking like a "great piece of management".
Guardiola shocked everyone last month when he dropped the Argentina international, who has nearly twice as many Premier League goals as any other City player, in favour of new signing Gabriel Jesus.
It is well known that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager prefers high-pressing tactics which require a striker who defends from the front and provides off-the-ball intensity as well as goals.
Until his injury against Bournemouth last month, Jesus was the man to provide it with his Premier League tracking data showing he covered an average of 11.3km and sprinted 73 times per 90 minutes in his first three Premier League appearances.
However, Aguero has risen to the challenge since coming back into the team last month and in seven appearances this year, he is running further and putting in more sprints than in the previous four years.
Carragher, who also praised Aguero for buying into the changes, thinks Guardiola deserves a huge pat on the back for the way he has handled the situation.
"It's looking like a great piece of management from Pep Guardiola," the former Liverpool defender told Monday Night Football.
"He's basically said to one of the best players at Manchester City: 'The way you've played in the last two or three years is not god enough for me. He's taken a chance and pushed him. He's told him that this is what you've got to do to be a Pep Guardiola centre forward, otherwise you'll probably move on.
"And he's actually bought into it," he added. "For a player of his age and what he's achieved you have to give him credit as well but at this moment in time, it's a big pat on the back for Pep Guardiola."
Frank Lampard, who played with Aguero at City, thinks the Argentina international has evolved and improved as a player since taking on board Guardiola's philosophies for his return to City's starting line-up.
"By nature, I don't think he's a centre forward, who charges around and give you lots defensively," the former England international told MNF.
No matter if you are one of the best strikers in the world if a new manager comes in who you respect and gives you something extra to add to your game you have to take that on board.
"Pep's set him a test now and said I need you to do that work for the team and it has actually improved him. Now you are seeing him being sharp and he's hungry, so maybe he took that test on board.
"When you are a top player, a world class striker and everything revolves around you scoring goals, he was probably content. He wanted to be in and around the box and was happy for others to do all the work but all of a sudden now it's changed and he's been tested.
"I don't think Pep Guardiola's messing around. If Aguero didn't change and he carried on playing in that way I think he might have a problem.
"I didn't see this happening but you do have to evolve as a player," Lampard added. "No matter if you are one of the best strikers in the world if a new manager comes in who you respect and gives you something extra to add to your game you have to take that on board.
"That's what top players do, they keep improving and I hope Aguero's doing that. If he does he'll be an even better striker than what he is now."
