Trevor Steven: Goalscoring genius Sergio Aguero is my leading striker of the Premier League era
Ian Rush got it right this week when he said that we have Sergio Aguero to thank for reminding us what it means to be an old-fashioned centre-forward.
Rarely do you see Aguero on the flanks or even outside of the width of the penalty area. He is too focused on scoring goals; that is why he gets up in the morning.
The Manchester City striker, who scored his second hat-trick in eight days on Sunday in the 6-0 rout of Chelsea, has a knack of anticipating what will happen and where the space will appear.
It’s all in the timing, and that’s why he scores more headers than you would expect from a 5ft 7in striker. When it comes to goalscoring, Aguero is a genius.
As the most recent of his record-equalling 11 Premier League hat-tricks showed, he scores from inside and outside the penalty box. He seems to have a radar for the whites of the goal posts.
Key to City's title hopes
What sets Aguero apart from his peers is that he’s never really had an off year – his lowest tally in eight seasons at City was 17 goals in 2012-13 – and his barren spells are few and brief.
I also think there’s plenty more to come from the Argentinian. At 30, he can play at the top level for another two or three years.
It’s funny to think that his future at the club looked uncertain after Pep Guardiola took charge in 2016, with the signing of Gabriel Jesus seeming to cast doubt on his long-term role.
Jesus was recruited to strengthen that position and provide cover for Aguero but the young Brazilian, while very good, has found it difficult to live up to the standards set by his fellow South American.
So important is Aguero to Guardiola’s team now that I believe they will retain the league title if he stays fit. If not, Liverpool’s chances of will be that much greater.
Aguero and Shearer top list
Aguero is the best of the current crop in England. Harry Kane has had three or four great seasons but needs a couple more before he compares with all-time greats like Aguero and Alan Shearer.
Comparing strikers from different periods is difficult because the style of football has changed, but in the Premier League era the two who stand out are Aguero and Shearer.
Thierry Henry is up there, without doubt, but a lot of his goals came from his own dribbles, while Aguero and Shearer mostly operate in the penalty area and finish from within 10 yards. Henry is in a different bracket and we are discussing No9s.
Between these two it is almost a matter of personal preference, like the Ronaldo-Messi debate.
They are very different operators. Shearer was fantastic, but while in his day play was more direct and there were more balls into the box, now there is more quick passing.
Personally, I love watching Aguero, and if the Premier League is currently the best it has ever been, in that the depth of quality is at a peak, then that makes the City man my No1.