It is proving to be a very interesting and varied end to the 2021/22 Premier League campaign for manager Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.
With two games left in our battle with challengers and chasers Liverpool, Guardiola has maintained our advantage over Jurgen Klopp's side and we continue to hold a three point lead, as well as having a seven goal superior goal difference.
The title this season really is ours to lose and although those who like a flutter would definitely get very good odds from the likes of NY sportsbook promos for us to throw it away in the final 180 minutes of game time, the chances of capitalising on those odds are at best minimal - if not totally unlikely given our advantage and the experience of both the gaffer and the playing staff.
Whilst most football fans will only have eyes for the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool this Saturday, Manchester City fans have been preparing for our trip to West Ham United and the London Stadium on Sunday safe in the knowledge that not only have we already announced the fantastic capture of natural goal scoring talent and Norwegian international Erling Braut Haaland, but we have also honoured Etihad Stadium legend Sergio Aguero.
On Friday afternoon, the club unveiled the long awaited statue of Aguero to mark our ten year anniversary of lifting our first Premier League title (2011/12) which was secured by Aguero's goal right at the death and four minutes into injury stoppage time in the final game of the campaign.
Speaking to the assembled media at the unveiling, 33-year-old former Argentine international Aguero explained.
"It was the best moment of my life. For me that moment changed my life, changed the club and everything. That moment always will be in my heart."
Created by sculptor Andy Scott, the galvanised steel statue becomes the latest addition and now joins fellow City legends Vincent Kompany and David Silva on the east side of the stadium to complete the trinity, and he was understandably pleased with is own work once again, knowing full well what it would mean to the fans.
"It has been an honour to work on a project that means so much to Manchester City fans around the world in celebration of such an important player in the life of this football club. I was under no illusions about how important this was to the Club, to the fans, to Sergio himself and I hope that this statue brings joy and happiness to all who see it."
City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak commented that Aguero's goal against Queens Park Rangers in 2012, which beautifully denied near rivals Manchester United from lifting the title, "changed everything".
"Sergio Aguero’s contribution to Manchester City in a defining era for the Club cannot be overstated. He is without doubt one of the greatest players that has ever played the game. When our fans think of Sergio, they are immediately drawn to the iconic moment of 93:20 and the goal that secured the Club’s first league title in 44 years, but as his record of 260 goals for the Club demonstrates, his legacy and impact at Manchester City go far beyond that. It is only fitting that Sergio has been recognised with a statue of his own, in celebration and honour of his accomplishments in one of the most important chapters of Manchester City’s rich and long history."
Understandably, Aguero could not have agreed more.
"Khaldoon said the truth. We don't know what would have happened if we'd lost the Premier League that year. That year changed everything because the next years we started winning more titles. Truthfully, it is a very beautiful thing for me, to see myself 10 years ago is very moving. In those 10 years I was able to win a lot of trophies and was able to help the Club become one of the most important in the world. I am very grateful to the Club for making this statue in recognition of my football career in Manchester. It is something very special."
With Aguero cementing himself in our history in perpetuity given the role he played in lifting five Premier League titles, one FA Cup and six League Cups with City, as well as registering in total, 15 major trophies in his decade with the club, he also boasts the fact that he is the fourth highest scoring player since the inception of the Premier League with a hugely impressive 184 goals in 275 games.
It is probably also pretty symbolic that in the week we announce the permanent recognition of Aguero's role in our rise that we have also announced his long sought after replacement in Haaland. He will undoubtedly forge his own place in our history moving forward.