Could Sergio Agüero be the answer to Chelsea’s attacking issues?

When Manchester City revealed that Sergio Agüero, their all-time leading goal scorer, would be leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of this campaign after 10 years of service in the blue half of Manchester, many would have instantly assumed that his future lay away from the Premier League, perhaps at the likes of Barcelona where he could link up with his good friend Lionel Messi. 

However, it’s reported that Agüero is keen to stay in England as he wishes to climb further up the Premier League’s all-time scoring chart, and it’s believed that Chelsea could be eyeing up a move for the 32-year-old. 

Given the west London side’s attacking exploits (or lack of) so far this season, and the fact they look set to miss out on the sought-after Erling Håland, you can’t blame the Chelsea board for weighing up their options and seriously considering a move for Agüero, especially as he wouldn’t cost a penny.

It’s worth noting that Chelsea spent over £250 million last summer, with over half of that sum being splashed on Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, who are yet to prove their worth, and with Tammy Abraham thinking about leaving the club and Olivier Giroud out of contract, Agüero could fill the void left by those two players. 

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time Chelsea, who are expected to land a top four spot according to the latest Premier League betting, have turned their attentions to an experienced player to help in attack. 

In 2013, when looking for more options up front, Chelsea brought in a 32-year-old Samuel Eto’o from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, and the Cameroon international went on to find the net 12 times across the course of his sole season at Stamford Bridge, including a hat-trick against Manchester United. 

The following season saw club legend Didier Drogba return to Chelsea. The Ivorian announced he was leaving after scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League against Bayern Munich in 2012. However, after a brief spell in China with Shanghai Shenhua and two seasons with Turkish side Galatasaray, the striker returned at the ripe age of 36. 

Drogba was little more than a back-up attacking option to the prolific Diego Costa. But seven goals in 44 games, just 14 of which were starts, was not a bad return, and he went on to win a fourth Premier League medal alongside a third triumph in the League Cup.

Giroud is perhaps the best example of all. The French forward was 31 when he made the £18 million move across London from Arsenal. However, he has proved crucial for the Blues, especially in Europe. Giroud scored 11 goals in 14 appearances as Chelsea won the Europa League in 2019 and boasts an impressive six strikes in as many games in this season’s Champions League. 

However, whilst Agüero has the pedigree and arguably knows the Premier League more than any other current striker in the division. His fitness rings alarms bells. The Argentine has barely featured across the course of the last two seasons and went some 14 months without scoring a league goal. So, injuries along with his age, mean he’s certainly not a long-term option. 

Although, for Chelsea, the risks could reap rewards. He would undoubtedly be a dangerous asset to have on the bench for a season or two, and should they keep him fit then perhaps he can come on and change games when needed. 

He isn’t the answer to their attacking woes, and if both Abraham and Giroud move on, then we’re sure he won’t be the only attacker brought in this summer. But, if the wages and so on are right, the Chelsea hierarchy would be stupid to let the opportunity of signing him go, especially with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur also snooping around.