It seems faintly ludicrous in many respects that the future of a player who claimed his fifteenth and sixteenth goals of the campaign, and 100th and 101st at the Etihad Stadium, on an afternoon when Manchester City chalked up a seventeenth successive Premier League win, could be the subject of so much debate.
For all the talk of Sergio Aguero being disillusioned under Pep Guardiola, the Argentina striker remains one of football’s most reliable goal machines and if the likely arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal does bring his future to a head, the City manager was adamant he will not be the one to determine it.
“I respect Sergio a lot, all he has done, what he does, what he will do in the future, he’s a legend,” Guardiola said when asked about the latest reports Aguero could leave next summer. “He will decide absolutely everything about his life, and his future, and I am delighted with him. I am so happy to have him here.
“I was a football player and I understand when players are substituted or don’t play they are sad and upset. I try to have the best relationship as possible with my players. I understand completely when they are upset but sometimes I think Gabriel deserves to play too. The important thing is the respect between each other - don’t be happy with me, that’s not a problem. The most important thing, and our secret, is they have amazing relations between them. The locker room with the players and staff is a dream to go and train with them every day. That’s most important – when they respect each other. The other thing I completely understand the feelings.”
If there was a fixture to epitomise Tottenham's strange season so far, it would be this evening's clash against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Despite being widely lauded as one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League on their day, Mauricio Pochettino's men find themselves a point behind the Clarets come kick off. While Sean Dyche is often characterised as a no-nonsense pragmatist in the mould of Sam Allardyce, David Moyes and all the other bulldog Brits in management, Burnley have – albeit narrowly – bettered Spurs for creativity and innovation so far this term.
The table doesn't lie, as the old truism goes. Compare the budgets and pre-season aspirations of the two clubs and Burnley's success seems even more impressive.
Today could be the day the bubble bursts, of course. Tottenham could come away from Turf Moor with an emphatic win and all three points, setting in motion a slow spiral downwards for Burnley which ends in a modest finish come the season's close.
Then again, given that they have won four of their last five home matches, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise were Burnley to graft their way to a result against Spurs. Victory would send the Clarets level on points with 4th-placed Liverpool. How much higher Dyche and co. could go from there, only he knows.
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It's almost Christmas and there is plenty at stake for the Premier League club's in action today.
There is no change at the top of table, of course. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City have comfortably secured Christmas No.1 after thrashing Bournemouth 4-0.
Nobody wants to be bottom at this time of year - stats have proved there is no going back for those who are down in 20th place.
And although managerless Swansea produced a spirited fightback under caretaker boss Leon Britton to draw 1-1 with Crystal Palace,they take the unwanted prize as they remain rooted to the bottom.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
West Brom are still searching for their first win under new boss Alan Pardew as they lost 3-1 at Stoke. Newcastle ended their dreadful run of form as they beat West Ham 3-2 at the London Stadium.
Elsewhere, Burnley take on Tottenham at Turf Moor and either side could move above Arsenal to fifth place if they win.
Mancheter United travel to 2015/16 champions Leicester in the late 7.45pm kick-off.
And you can keep up to date with all the scores, results and latest table right here throughout the day.
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