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Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has claimed that his side are the favourites to snatch the Premier League title back from cross city rivals Manchester United, the Mirror reports.
City strengthened their squad considerably this summer, as did Chelsea, and when talking about the usual suspects in terms of who would be challenging for end of season honours one name was conspicuously absent – Arsenal.
“I am convinced we are stronger than last season. It will be a really competitive Premier League but we have a good squad to win and I would say we have a staff a little better than United and Chelsea,” the Argentine striker said.
“United will be our biggest rivals, even if they have changed coach. And then Chelsea with the return of Mourinho. Tottenham have built a great squad and then there is always Liverpool.
“City have invested a lot for some years and is growing a lot and quickly. We know that we have to win – and the new arrivals know that City wants to become one of the big teams.”
The former Atletico Madrid forward also went on to explain how he would be playing a slightly different role under new coach Manuel Pellegrini.
“Sometimes with (Roberto) Mancini I played more on the flanks and more behind the main striker,” he said. “Roberto asked me to move around the box. But now with new wide players like Navas and with Silva who plays on the left, Pellegrini has asked me to move further forward, almost up with the centre-forward, and he asks me to move more in the area and link with Toure, Navas and Silva.”
Speaking to Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport, Aguero also spoke about two of his former team-mates who are now plying their trade in Italy’s top flight: Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli.
Teve joined champions Juventus in the summer, and Aguero said; “I am happy for him that he is at a great club like Juve. It is an honour for Italian football to have someone like him – he will add quality to Serie A.”
And on Milan striker Balotelli, Aguero said: “Of him, I remember only one phrase: “F*** it!” He was always saying it. We got on well. We respect each other, he is like that, he likes to joke, he is a nice madman.”