Sergio Aguero disclosed that Frank Lampard had urged Chelsea’s hierarchy to acquire him approximately a year and a half prior to his eventual transfer to Manchester City in 2011.
Emerging as a prominent young forward in the late 2000s, Aguero captured the attention of top clubs with his impressive record of 101 goals in 234 appearances for Atletico Madrid.
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Despite interest from numerous European giants, Atletico Madrid retained Aguero until the summer of 2011, when they agreed to a £35 million transfer with Manchester City. There, Aguero would solidify his legacy as one of the club’s all-time greats.
With an outstanding 260 goals, Aguero stands atop Manchester City’s all-time scoring leaderboard, with Raheem Sterling trailing by 129 goals.
Aguero is also known for scoring what is considered one of the most iconic goals in Premier League history during the 94th minute against QPR, securing the 2011-12 Premier League title for City – the first of his five league championships in Manchester.
However, Aguero has shared that his career trajectory might have been markedly different if Lampard, the legendary former Chelsea midfielder, had succeeded in his efforts back in 2010 after facing Aguero in the Champions League group stage.
In a match at the Wanda Metropolitano in November 2009, a young Aguero, initially benched, entered the game for Atletico against Chelsea, making an immediate impact with a powerful volley soon after taking over from Florent Sinama Pongolle.
Chelsea’s Didier Drogba seemed poised to secure a win with two rapid goals, but Aguero’s remarkable 25-yard free-kick in the closing moments ensured a draw, thwarting the visiting team’s hopes for a victory.
Asked whether Chelsea had a chance of signing him after that 2-2 draw in Madrid, Aguero told The Club YouTube channel: ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah!
‘After that game, maybe two months after, my agent said to me, “Chelsea are interested”.
‘I had just three years at Atletico Madrid. I mean, I loved the Premier League, to play there, but Chelsea were never interested after. At first, yes, but then my agent said: “Okay, maybe not”.’
After leaving Chelsea for Man City in 2014, Lampard told Aguero how he had pestered the decision-makers at Stamford Bridge to sign him in 2010.
‘I spoke about that with Frank Lampard because Frank Lampard played at Manchester City,’ Aguero added.
‘He said when I played against him, he told the staff at Chelsea to sign Aguero.’
