Chelsea must make Sergio Aguero transfer decision to help Thomas Tuchel win Premier League title

Pep Guardiola stood with tears in his eyes on the confetti-strewn pitch at the Etihad Stadium. He had minutes earlier watched his Manchester City players jubilantly lift the Premier League trophy but there was also a reason for great sadness.

It would be the last time Sergio Aguero would represent the club in Manchester. Their all-time top scorer, a man who helped transform City into a dominant Premier League force, was to leave at the end of his contract.

That wasn't the Argentine's decision. The choice was made for him by the City hierarchy and Guardiola. It felt ruthless, cold given all Aguero had achieved, but there was no going back.

Still, Guardiola felt hugely emotional when the day finally came for Aguero to say goodbye to City's supporters and staff at the Etihad. "We love him so much. He’s a special person for all of us," the Catalan coach said as he held back his tears.

"He’s so nice, so nice. He helped me a lot. We cannot replace him...we cannot. There are many players that this club have had - Joe Hart, David Silva helped this club to be what it is. And he showed his quality in 20 minutes [on his debut with two goals]."

Guardiola was largely true to his word. City didn't replace Aguero, not directly at least, in the summer. They instead committed £100million on Jack Grealish and backed their array of attacking talents to fill the goalscoring void left by the Argentine international, who would go on to join Barcelona before being forced to retire in December due to a heart condition.

City haven't missed Aguero, not on the pitch at least. In the Premier League, they are top once again and sit nine points ahead of Liverpool in second. Guardiola has also guided his side into the Champions League knockout