Mitch Freeley

Former Manchester City assistant David Platt has revealed to beIN SPORTS that he did not think that Manchester City players Sergio Agüero and David Silva could make the grade at the Etihad Stadium when they first arrived at the club.



Thankfully for Platt, both players found their feet in Manchester, with Agüero going on to become the clubs all-time goal scorer overhauling the record made in the 40’s by city legend Eric Brook. Including the infamous 94th minute strike against Queens Park Rangers to seal the citizens first ever Premier League title at the expense of local rivals Manchester United.



Whilst David Silva has enjoyed eight trophy-laden seasons with the citizens and recently signed a one year contract with the club. Speaking after Manchester City’s 2-1 win over West Ham in which Silva scored a late winner, Platt revealed his doubts on the Spanish playmaker when he signed in the summer of 2010.



“ I thought (Silva) would never be a Premier League player, In two weeks of training, you didn’t think he’s not going to be strong enough to actually live up to the physical demands of the Premier League, me and the other Italian coach thought that he could get us the sack!”

Whilst Platt added that he also same feeling about Agüero when he joined the club just one year later. “When Sergio came in he had just been at the Copa America and he trained and he couldn’t hit anything, couldn’t score.”



“Then in the Community Shield, with two minutes to go we were going to penalties it was 2-2 against Manchester United at the time. We thought about getting him on to take a penalty, we turned around to ask him for a penalty and he said no” added the English coach who was part of the Manchester City set-up between 2010-2013.



However despite not impressing Platt in the Charity Shield, the Argentinian international stepped up on his Premier League debut against Swansea grabbing a brace in a late second-half cameo. “Then he (Agüero) came on against Swansea with 19 minutes left we were winning 1-0 in the first game of the season and in 19 minutes he had scored two and made one minute and he has scored two and created one, perhaps he had been kidding us here. “



Both players are expected to be part of the squad when City head to Old Trafford for the first Manchester derby of the season. Pep Guardiola's side currently has a nine-point lead over their local rivals who are in second place. You can watch Manchester United Vs Manchester City live and exclusive via beIN SPORTS CONNECT.