Sergio Aguero is, without doubt, one of the greatest finishers we’ve seen during the Premier League era.The revered Argentine forward has scored 180 league goals for Manchester City since joining the English club from Atletico Madrid in 2011.Only Alan Shearer (260), Wayne Rooney (208) and Andy Cole (187) have scored more Premier League goals than the world-class 31-year-old.Aguero has demonstrated throughout his illustrious career that he’s capable of scoring all types of goals: screamers from outside the box, close-range tap-ins, headers and more.But you may not have noticed what an incredible near-post finisher the South American is.The reason you may not have noticed is because whenever a goalkeeper is beaten at their near-post, the automatic reaction from fans and pundits alike is to blame the ‘keeper in question for conceding the goal.Goalkeepers, it’s often said, should *never* be beaten at their near post.However, a brilliant Twitter thread from @CitysEra shows there have been many occasions where Aguero has deliberately intended to beat various ‘keepers at their near post - and he’s rather good at it, too.
In fact, he’s the best in the business, according to the aforementioned Twitter thread.Let’s take a closer look.vs. Man Utd in 2018.David de Gea had absolutely no chance of saving this powerful effort from Aguero.
vs. Liverpool in 2019.
Like De Gea, Liverpool's Alisson Becker is one of the best ‘keepers in the world - but he could do nothing to stop this brilliant strike from City’s No. 10.
vs. Man Utd in 2013.
Aguero must believe that the best way to beat Manchester United's No. 1 is to rifle the ball past the Spaniard at his near post.
vs. Norwich in 2012.
An unstoppable strike from outside the box. What a hit, son.
vs. Chelsea in 2013.
Right foot, left foot… it doesn’t matter to Aguero. This brilliant strike at Stamford Bridge saw the ball flash past Petr Cech, one of the best ‘keepers of the Premier League era.
vs. Sunderland in 2012.
Pure precision from the Argentina international.
vs. Everton in 2014.
Sit down, Tim Howard!
vs. Liverpool in 2012.
Most strikers in this situation would have aimed for the far post - but not Sergio…
vs. Sunderland in 2014.
The pace on this strike is just silly.
vs. Tottenham in 2014.
Another goal that looked much, much harder to score at the near post rather than the far.
vs. Watford in 2015.
That’s a special finish.
vs. Arsenal in 2015.
Left foot from the edge of the box, drilled low into the near post - outstanding.
vs. Burnley in 2017.
How on earth did he score from there?!
vs. Aston Villa in 2020.
Another superb near-post finish.
vs. QPR in 2012.
Even his most famous goal was a near-post finish.
vs. Tottenham in 2019.
The best near-post finisher of all time? It’s hard to disagree.
What a player - and what a Twitter thread.