At this moment in time, it ironically appears as though arguably Mancini’s least favourite option could be the best to partner Aguero. Edin Dzeko has not always enjoyed the easiest of times in Manchester. His performances range from the superb, as shown by his four goal destruction of Tottenham at White Hart Lane early last season to his long run without a goal in the winter months that saw him relegated to very much City’s fourth choice striker at the beginning of this season. However, Dzeko has emerged as a big-game player and has notched crucial goals against QPR on last season’s final day, against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu and on Saturday, the late winner at Craven Cottage to give City their first away win of the season. Dzeko may have his faults, such as his often erratic finishing and inconsistent first touch but appears to very much be a man in form.
It seems simple then? Surely at this moment in time, until either Tevez or Balotelli re-find their top form, then it must be Aguero and Dzeko to start? The problem is however that those two seem to struggle to form a coherent partnership between themselves when played together and indeed Mancini has only started both the Argentine and the Bosnian a handful of times this calendar year. Aguero wants quick interplay with his forward partner, the type that Balotelli and particularly Tevez are so adept at. Dzeko however lacks the technical ability to deliver to Aguero’s needs while the Bosnian, at his best when finishing instinctively, can often find his preferred positions, particularly in the penalty box, taken up by the predatory Aguero. Indeed, the last time the two were partnered, in City’s underwhelming 1-1 draw with Arsenal, both struggled to make an impact.
Of course, there are those who would simply argue that for Aguero and Dzeko to be able to form a partnership then they must simply be given greater playing time together on the pitch in order to forge a connection. However, Mancini will know as well as anyone that with the difficult of balancing City’s Premier League title defence as well as their challenge for the Champions League, he does not have the luxury of allowing his two most in-form strikers several disappointing games in order to form a connection.
Fundamentally, perhaps Mancini would be wise to accommodate to his star man Aguero. The ex-Atletico Madrid man seems to perform at his best alongside Argentine compatriot Carlos Tevez and judging by the latter’s impressive early-season form, perhaps his manager should just have a little bit more faith in his abilities.
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