Manchester City are planning on ways to pay tribute to club legends such as Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee as well as their current generation of stars.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “It’s the least we can do. Throughout the last couple of years, if you look at everything we’ve achieved and if you look at the players that have been legends for this club, it was always in the back of our minds that we have a responsibility for the generations to come. David Silva, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta. These are players that have given incredible contributions. When you look at Silva, Vincent and Sergio particularly, I think their influence on this club and on English football is unquestionable and therefore, having statues respecting their contributions is completely well-deserved for them and for our community and our fan base. I think for the next 50 to a hundred years, people will look back at these players in the same way we look back at some of the other greats – Colin Bell, Francis Lee, Mike Summerbee – who, by the way, we are thinking right now of how best to show our respect and appreciation for what they have contributed. This ownership group was not part of that era, but, having said that, it’s such a critical part of our history and it needs to be immortalised. I think these are things that we are now discussing. It’s a no brainer and it’s absolutely the right thing to do. He’s arguably the greatest legend of this club. What he’s been able to achieve over 10 years, the number of titles that he’s won for this club, his influence over the game, I think we all know the influence he had for this club, but one cannot ignore the impact he’s had on the Premier League. He is arguably the greatest striker that has ever played in the Premier League. He’ll be on anybody’s top three list. He’s got the best goals per minute ratio of any striker that has played in the Premier League. He’s scored critical goals at the most critical moments and, of course, one can never forget arguably the greatest moment in Premier League history: 93:20, QPR, that goal. Sergio will leave with a legacy that is unforgettable. He will leave as a legend. He will be appreciated for the next hundred years as one of the greatest players that has ever worn the City jersey. In those 10 years, [he has] never once given anybody in this club any heartache, any problems. The perfect professional. Humble, committed, passionate and delivering on the pitch. That’s Sergio Aguero.”
City confirmed upon the announcement that their record scorer would be leaving the club this summer that Sergio Aguero would be immortalised at the Etihad with a statue. It follows plans to also honour departed icons Vincent Kompany and David Silva in a similar fashion but Khaldoon Al Mubarak has revealed that discussions are being held to pay tribute to legendary figures from before the club’s new found success.
