The markedly contrasting current fortunes of Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane

Euro 2016

Two strikers to have scored prolifically in the English Premier League last season were Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane

Whilst Kane was the division’s leading marksman with 25 goals, Aguero scored just one less, to end the 2015-2016 campaign as the second top goal scorer in England’s top flight, alongside Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy.

Nevertheless at present whilst Aguero is in a rich vein of form, both in terms of goal scoring and his contribution to Manchester City’s play, Kane is enduring a frustrating start to the current season, whereby the 23-year-old has been a peripheral figure in most of Tottenham’s games, similar to the way in which was for England at Euro 2016.

Kane endures frustrating start to the season

Despite ending a nine competitive match goal drought, which included his four England Euro 2016 appearances, by scoring in Tottenham’s 4-0 victory over Stoke to become the fastest man and only the fourth after Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Teddy Sheringham to score 50 Premier League goals for the North London club, Kane remains low on confidence.

That was clearly evident as he was once again unable to produce his best form as Tottenham opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Monaco at Wembley.

In addition to struggling to make a positive impact upon the game, Kane missed the type of chance that he invariably scored last season, when presented with a great opportunity to equalise for Spurs late in the game.

The manner in which Kane snatched at that opportunity provided a vivid illustration that his confidence is fragile and requires rebuilding.  However he undoubtedly has the potential to do that by once again beginning to score goals regularly, just as Sergio Aguero currently is.

Aguero influential for Manchester City

The 28-year-old Argentinean striker scored his second Champions League hat-trick of the season to inspire Manchester City to a 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach.

In doing so Aguero showcased the current razor sharpness of his predatory instincts and assuredness in front of goal.  He has abundantly displayed that so far this season to score nine goals in five matches, to establish himself as Manchester City’s seventh all-time top goal scorer.

Specifically following his hat-trick against Monchengladbach, Aguero has now scored 145 goals in 213 appearances after joining the club from Atletico Madrid for £38m.

Although astronomical, that fee is one which Aguero continues to strive to justify, by providing a wonderful level of service to Manchester City, with the potential existing for him to do that throughout the current season.

Act of aggression marginally detracts from Aguero’s class

Whilst commencing that in excellent form, Aguero slightly tarnished his glowing reputation by being found guilty of a violent misconduct charge for elbowing West Ham’s Winston Reid during Manchester City’s recent 3-1 victory over Slaven Bilic’s side.

Subsequently for that misdemeanour Aguero is currently serving a three game domestic ban, which means he will not play again until his team’s second Champions’ League Group C game against Celtic on 28 September.

In the meantime Kelechi Iheanacho is the most likely candidate to be tasked by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with filling the void created by the absence of Aguero, with the 19-year-old Nigerian internationalist in fine form having scored in his last two appearances against Manchester United and Monchengladbach.

City duo outshining  Kane

Therefore whilst Iheanacho and Aguero are producing somewhat close to their best form, in marked contrast to that Harry Kane is not, although the top scorer in last season’s English Premier League is valiantly endeavouring to improve his current fortunes.

Play European Fantasy Football against your friends and colleagues, sign up now with Eurofantasyleague.com

To leave a comment, you must be logged into www.eurofantasyleague.com