"We came very, very close" - Former Chelsea director claims Blues almost signed Manchester City icon Sergio Aguero

Former Chelsea director Emeraldo has revealed that the club were close to signing Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero. The Argentinean spent 10 seasons at the Etihad and scored 260 goals from 390 games for the Premier League champions.

However, he could have been plying his trade at Stamford Bridge had things gone according to plans for the Blues. Aguero was a rising star with Atletico Madrid when he turned heads at Chelsea.

The London giants were looking to usher in a new era under Carlo Ancelotti and apparently had their eyes on the Argentinean. However, the move failed to materialize and the player ended up at Manchester City in 2011.

Speaking on the Obi Wan Podcast, Emeraldo insisted that the Blues wanted Aguero to eventually succeed Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge.

“Sergio Aguero (the one that got away). We came very, very close, and that was the one, he was 20 and the idea was to have him with Didier Drogba and and to phase Drogba out you gradually because we anticipated that Didier would go until he was 35,” said Emenaldo.

Didier Drogba initially left the London giants in 2012, before returning briefly in 2014 for a second spell. The Ivorian striker has 164 goals and 88 assists from 381 across competitions for Chelsea.

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How have Chelsea and Manchester City fared this season?

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola

Chelsea and Manchester City have both enjoyed decent starts to the 2024-25 campaign. The Blues parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of last season and appointed Enzo Maresca as his replacement.

The Italian manager made multiple changes to his squad over the summer and the London giants have responded well to his tactics. Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League after seven games, with four wins and one defeat on the board.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are once again in the title race. They are second in the league table, a point behind leaders Liverpool. Pep Guardiola's team have won the last four Premier League titles on the trot and are now aiming for a record-extending fifth consecutive league triumph.

City are unbeaten across competitions this season and remain a force in the European circuit. However, Guardiola's contract at the Etihad expires at the end of this season and he hasn't signed a new deal yet. City are accused of multiple breaches of FFP norms and are under trial by an independent tribunal, whose outcome could determine their manager's future.