The final international break of 2024 has come and gone and club football has returned to the fore. We caught up with our Global Football Ambassador Sergio Agüero to discuss the latest Premier League and La Liga talking points.
Premier League Insights
If Liverpool beat Manchester City on December 1st, is the title race over?
Pundits are always quick to call the race and my response is always the same: it ain't over until it's over. The current point advantage may be insignificant by the end of the season. We've seen that happen frequently. The 2011/2012 season had us eight points below United and we took that trophy. Of course, beating Liverpool will certainly help, but it's not wise to make such sweeping statements when the tournament still has a long way to go.
From your experience working with Pep, what will he have been like in the dressing room following their recent defeats?
I'm sure he emphasized the importance of City's signature style, and he'll continue to do so. There are very few people that can share that type of conviction like Pep does, and that helps the team make them their own. I'm sure that is what Pep insisted on, motivating the team to follow the principles that allowed City to be the team that it's become.
Some people are saying this season is cursed for Manchester City because of the amount of injuries they’ve endured in a short amount of time. Do you think that the amount of fixtures is to blame for this?
It's true, several teams had a significant amount of injuries, particularly City. When it happens to such key players too, it's very impactful, like Rodri being off the field. Kevin has bounced back but he still needs to fully get back into rhythm. There has been several defenders who have been affected too.
Pointing out the root cause is tricky, it's not just Premier League teams that are seeing an uptick. I do believe it's a warning sign, in the end there's no football without the players and we must look out for them. If it truly is the number of fixtures – which can seem excessive – it'll be up to the organizers to act accordingly.
Arsenal have played the toughest fixtures out of the top teams - do you expect them to close the gap on Liverpool and Man City over the next few weeks?
Another great example of a rival that shouldn’t be discredited for their weaker results on the first leg of the season. They also had several injuries that are on the mend. Arsenal will be vying for the title, just like they've done for the past few years.
Could Chelsea fight for the title?
Why not? The new manager has really made an impact, they are playing better than before. If they keep it up, we should see them as trophy contenders.
As one of the best strikers in Premier League history, what’s your assessment of Nicolas Jackson? Can he be a Chelsea legend?
It's too early to tell. He's had a very good season and he's getting more attention. The foundations are there but we'll have to see how he performs over the next few years. Consistency will be key for Nicolas to deliver that possibility.
Why is Enzo Fernandez performing well for Argentina but can’t get a starting spot in Chelsea’s XI?
Adaptation to a new manager can be a lengthy process – and Enzo has the added responsibility of being team captain. When he's called upon, he performs well. I think the manager is trying out different possibilities. But Enzo is a team player, and he'll deliver his part from anywhere on the field.
Will Ruben Amorim take Manchester United back to battling for the Premier League title or will he not be any different to Erik ten Hag?
He's arriving with a very good record; he has done a great job for his last team. Now, he has a challenge that many managers have failed to deliver, infusing United with the identity that its supporters have grown accustomed to. On top of that, it's Ruben's first season in England.
Those are the obstacles that he'll need to tackle. That being said, he is a young, passionate manager and he has a team of great players to help him overcome those challenges.
I haven't seen too much of him, but I know he's a striker with a great record. Teams flock to players like that when that's what they're missing. If he has good rapport with the manager, I think that makes it even more probable. We'll see.
Alejandro Garnacho is scoring big goals for Manchester United - do you see him being there for years to come? How good can he be?
Sometimes, people forget how young Alejandro is. His raw talent got him to the Premier League at a young age, and he's proven his worth already. I've seen many of his teammates leaning in to help him develop as a pro player, and that's massive. If he has that type of mentorship, I'm sure there's a bright future ahead of him.
Kevin De Bruyne has taken a long time to come back from injury - is he getting to that age now where we can’t expect him to play too many games?
I wouldn't chalk it up to age, injuries happen. Kevin has always roared back to top form.
Who would you like Manchester City to sign in January? Zubimendi has been linked, does Pep Guardiola need a creative midfielder?
Rodri's injury had a deep impact, especially when you consider he might be off for the whole season. I could imagine Pep looking to sign a midfielder... but I'd expect it to be someone Pep is certain to be a top-quality player.
Liam Delap has been scoring lots for Ipswich Town, he has a buy-back clause too. Is he someone Manchester City should consider as a back up to Erling Haaland?
Can't see that far ahead, personally. Delap's doing very well at Ipswich. By the end of the season, we'll see what happens, a decision will be solid by then.
Mohamed Salah doesn’t seem to age, would you have loved to play on the same team as him?
What an amazing player. Mo has been a major player for Liverpool, and still is. Talented in many ways, a goalscorer that is always relevant. We had several face-offs and that had an impact – playing against great players like him force you to be more competitive and to be better.
La Liga Predictions
Jude Bellingham is scoring and assisting in his free role for England - does this show he’s being restricted at Real Madrid? Is that Mbappe’s fault?
I don't think there's anything holding him down specifically. Playing for the national team can't be compared to playing at a club, it's literally a different ballgame. Different types of rosters, different playstyles. When you have many elite players working together, it'll take time to gel. Jude had an excellent first season at Real, then the injury happened. He's getting back to the right pace, I'm sure soon enough he'll be able to link up with the rest of the team.
What was your reaction to Vinicius Jr not congratulating Rodri for the Ballon d’Or win?
That's a personal call, but I'd have liked to see him congratulate Rodri on the Ballon d'Or he deservedly won.
Do you think Real Madrid are too entitled? Is it not a shame that because of Vinicius Jr and Florentino Perez being upset, Jude Bellingham wasn’t able to attend the ceremony where he came top three for the first time in his career?
I'll insist – it was their decision to make, right or wrong, it's done. I do believe football is better without these types of displays. If you play, you'll win and you'll lose, and you should always respect the results, and you should always respect your rivals.
And there you have it, the tips and insights from the man himself! For more football/soccer betting advice , check out our articles on the Premier League and La Liga . Both showcase picks and predictions from our experts here at Stake.com .
