Sergio Aguero picks Premier League top four and names five Player of Year candidates
Sergio Aguero believes former club Manchester City will return to the summit of English football and claim the Premier League title as he backed Phil Foden to get back to his best and compete to be the Player of the Year.
Pep Guardiola's side endured an off year last time out and, for the first time since the Catalan's debut season, finished outside the top two. They've invested in the likes of Rayan Cherki as they look to refresh their squad with Kevin De Bruyne moving on.
Aguero believes they can now return to the top having previously won six titles in seven seasons before Liverpool dethroned them last term. The Argentine believes the Reds will be part of the top four, but stopped short of picking a specific order. He has though backed Arsenal and Chelsea to also finish in the Champions League spots.
The City icon believes Foden could prove key to City's efforts. The playmaker struggled for form last season, as did several of their key players, but the academy graduate has previously shown himself to be among the elite performers.
Two years ago it was Foden who spearheaded City's ascent to another title and Aguero insists he can get back to that level, but will face competition for individual accolades from the likes of Cole Palmer.
When quizzed on who could be up for the PFA Player of the Year award he told Stake: "I'd like Foden to win Player of the Year again. I've mentioned Phil but there's also (Alexis) Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer or Declan Rice. They are sure to stand out and have a shot at the accolade."
City have seen several of their players claim the award during Guardiola's tenure - De Bruyne and Erling Haaland also among them. Aguero is hopeful that the Norwegian can reclaim the Golden Boot he missed out on for the first time last year.
After scoring 90 times in his first two seasons and topping the goal charts both times the City frontman was outgunned by Mohamed Salah. However Aguero hopes that a strong season for Haaland in front of goals means the title will head back to Manchester.
He said: "I'd like Haaland to win awards because that means he's sure to have a scored a lot for City. Salah's name should be brought up when we talk about the Golden Boot, same with (Alexander) Isak. And players arriving to the Premier League with a massive tally like (Viktor) Gyokeres at Arsenal have a chance to shake things up."
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