The Citizens boss has angrily refuted claims that Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany’s future at The Etihad is uncertain.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has denied claims that Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany are not in his plans at The Etihad, speaking to Sky Sports.
Reports in the national press on Friday suggested that the futures of both players had become uncertain after a combination of both poor form and injury, but Guardiola has rejected such reports.
After Aguero was dropped to the bench versus Everton last weekend, the 28 year-old Argentine was also named on the bench against FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Kompany since suffering a recurring nightmare of injuries is yet to show his value to his new boss thus far, having played just three minutes of league football this term.
The Belgian was also omitted from Manchester City’s matchday squad at the Nou Camp.
Speaking via Sky Sports, however, Guardiola have said both are in his long-term plans.
“I think I took decisions with my plans and my plans for Vincent and Sergio Aguero are that they have a future at Manchester City,” Guardiola said.
“Vincent Kompany was not fit, was not perfectly fit. That’s why we took a decision. Normally Vincent Kompany is on the bench. He was not fit.”
Aguero has missed three penalties in all competition this season, but has still notched five league goals domestically this campaign.
In the case of Kompany, since the Belgian’s switch from Hamburg in 2008, the 30 year-old captained his side towards the 2013-14 Premier league title.
After 221 appearances and 13 goals, however, Kompany has struggled to find full fitness in aiming to dethrone John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi from the starting XI.
Guardiola also spoke of his decision to play Aguero from the bench versus La Blaugrana on Wednesday night.
“Respect to Sergio Aguero – it was a decision, a tactical decision. I wanted one more midfield player in the middle with Kevin De Bruyne. I spoke with Sergio about that, he was so understanding. He helped us a lot from the bench in the last minutes.
“I thought in the last minutes, when the game was close, in the last 30 minutes when the central defenders of Barcelona are tired – that was when Sergio could have helped us a lot. That was the reason why.”
On notions that Kün Aguero could be set to leave the club, the Spaniard was swift to correct the matter.
Guardiola finished tautly, “I am sorry, when Sergio decides to leave Manchester City, it will be his decision. I appreciate like a football player and like a man what he did here.
“Next time before you give this opinion you can call me before you decide he’s not in my plans, you can call me before you write he’s not in my plans.”
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