They may have 20 goals between them this season, but Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero cannot start up front together for Manchester City on a regular basis just yet, according to their manager Pep Guardiola.
The South American duo have been a major reason for City's incredible start to the season, which has seen them win all but one of their games in all competitions, so far.
Guardiola's men currently sit atop the Premier League, eight points clear of second placed Manchester United and nine clear of current champions, Chelsea.
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Yet the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager doesn't foresee him selecting the pair alongside each other on a regular basis until left-back Benjamin Mendy returns from the ACL injury that will sideline him until April.
Mendy has become a fan favourite incredibly quickly at City, mainly due to his social media activity. The 23-year-old Frenchman had made just five appearances for his new club before being sidelined for nine months with an ACL injury. Images: PA
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Speaking during a press conference, Guardiola said, via the Mail, "Both have different qualities - they deserve to play.
"They have a lot of games and they have to be ready. It is the toughest decision.
"When you have Mendy, he can play wide and the winger can go inside.
"Fabian Delph cannot do that. Without Mendy, Leroy Sane has to go wide, which is why they don't play together.
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"Sergio after the crash, he was fit. He is fit. For me he is so tough. So is Gabriel."
It could be a while before we see these two playing regularly up front together for Manchester City. Image: PA
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The conundrum is not too dissimilar to the one Vince McMahon almost certainly faced when he paired Stone Cold Steve Austin up with Triple H in the spring of 2001 as 'The Two Man Power Trip'. A pair of heavyweight hitters who could get the job done, but who he couldn't always be certain about. And like Aguero and Jesus, both pretty susceptible to injury. What?
Former Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has deputised for Mendy in the former Monaco man's absence and although Delph has earned plaudits for his displays in defence, he doesn't offer the same attacking threat that Mendy does from the full-back position.
Mendy arrived at City during the summer transfer window for a fee believed to be in the region of £52 million. The Frenchman had only played five games for his new club before rupturing his knee ligaments in a game against Crystal Palace at the end of September.
But what do you make of Guardiola's comments about Mendy's importance to Aguero and Jesus? Should the City manager be starting them together more often, regardless of whether Mendy's available or not?
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Have your say in the comments section below and on our Facebook page.
(H/T The Mail)
Topics: Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City, Football News, Sergio Aguero, Football, Pep Guardiola, Premier League