Pellegrini: Aguero is back at 100 percent

The second half at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday resembled a siege; the only real concerns were that the first period had showed a renewed propensity for defensive carelessness from a team that had previously not conceded a league goal, and that the likes of Aguero and Raheem Sterling – whose own form could be far more clinical – could not convert one of the numerous chances that came their way.

But he broke a five-game scoring drought with his penalty in the Capital One Cup win over Sunderland on Tuesday – and Pellegrini is convinced that can prove a platform for last season’s golden boot-winner.

Pellegrini said: “I think that against Sunderland he was practically 100 percent fit”.

The Spurs star has played down the Citizen’s attacking threat, instead putting his faith in his side’s improved defence this season. He scored the penalty and he had other chances. “Maybe after his injury he was not alright, especially against West Ham he was not 100% but he is now okay”.

While Aguero will lead City’s line at Tottenham, Pellegrini still has other injury woes. Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala are doubts, while this game definitely comes too soon for Pablo Zabaleta, Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy.

“That is why I say it is important to have a squad because you are going to win or lose the title by just one point or two points”.

However, this year’s list has a much different look through the first few weeks of action, which is highlighted by the fact that none of the players listed above ranks among the highest goal scorers.

“That is why you must have a strong squad”.

When asked to name the players who influenced his playing style, the Argentine forward named “Messi, the Brazilian Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Maradona” as the best players to have played the game, but said that the player to whom he influenced his style of play the most was “the Brazilian Ronaldo”.

At least City can welcome back skipper and central defender Vincent Kompany from injury tomorrow after their defence was exposed badly by the Hammers. Watford has scored only five goals through six games this year and Ighalo has accounted for four of them.