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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Aguero like Romario, says Mancini

Aguero not 100% fit warns Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini described Sergio Aguero as a "photocopy" of Brazilian legend Romario after the Argentine's superb debut against Swansea in the Premier League.

The £38m signing scored two and created another in the home side's 4-0 victory.

A World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, Romario officially scored nearly 1,000 goals in his professional career.

"Sergio is a photocopy of Romario, they are the same player," said delighted City boss Mancini.

"He is not 100% yet but he is going to be fantastic for us."

ROMARIO FACTFILE

  • 1994 Fifa world player of the year
  • Won the Golden Ball as the best player at USA 94
  • Claims to have scored 1,000 goals during his career, but many of them came in youth and friendly matches
  • Fifa officially says he scored 929
  • Played for Vasco de Gama in Brazil before moving to, among others, PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona
  • Nicknamed O Baixinho (Shorty) as he is only 5ft 7in (1.69m)

In 2007 Fifa congratulated Romario when he claimed to have netted his 1,000th goal, despite several of his strikes coming in friendlies and youth matches.

The striker, who enjoyed prolific spells with Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona, was also voted the best player in the world in 1994 and scored 55 goals in 70 appearances for his country, behind only Pele and Ronaldo.

Aguero came on as a second-half substitute on Monday with Manchester City leading 1-0, after being held back by Mancini because he spent the summer playing for Argentina in the Copa America.

But his impact was immediate, almost scoring with his first touch before bagging two goals, creating one, and showing some fine touches as well as an irrepressible work ethic.

"It was the perfect start," said Mancini. "It was important to start the season very well and it was important to score the goals and score with the strikers.

Romario's five goals in World Cup 1994

"I know Aguero very well but I don't think he is 100%. He played in the Copa America and he needs to do more in training, but I am happy because he scored two important goals."

Aguero is determined to build on his sensational start after he was kept waiting for his City bow throughout the Community Shield and for a further 60 minutes at the Etihad Stadium.

"I am happy. The start was really good and I want to keep like this. It was nice," Aguero told City TV.

"I had a chance to play a little bit and I enjoyed it. I helped the team and I want to keep doing the same in the future."

DID YOU KNOW?

Sergio Aguero is Diego Maradona's son-in-law

The former Atletico Madrid star began pre-season late after representing his country at the Copa America until mid-July.

Aguero said: "Mancini knows how I am and it was OK for me to play 30-35 minutes."

Further plaudits for the 23-year-old came from former Manchester City forward Mike Summerbee, who made over 400 appearances for the Sky Blues between 1965 and 1975.

He told BBC Radio 5 live: "Aguero has to be one of the top players in the world on that display.

ANALYSIS

Everybody knew before he was introduced onto the pitch that Aguero was a world-class player and he just lit the whole place up. His second goal was absolutely brilliant. He does look like he is going to be a special player.

Watch Lawrenson discuss Aguero's sensational debut

"He does all the simple things well, then suddenly 18 yards out he turns into a man who can score goals from nothing.

"His second goal was something people dream about and it was a team effort all the way through, but he was the icing on the cake."

Meanwhile, City say Aguero's fellow Argentina striker Carlos Tevez will stay at the club despite his stated intention to leave.

"He's still a Manchester City player," said chief executive Garry Cook. "I've not spoken to anybody who would dispel that notion.

"To see him playing alongside Sergio Aguero is going to be pretty exciting for all the City fans I think."

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