Ronald Koeman claims Sergio Aguero has a mental block when it comes to penalties following the striker’s latest spot-kick miss.
Aguero missed his fourth penalty of the season in City’s 1-1 draw with Everton, whose boss Koeman suggested the forward has a psychological problem from the spot.
Kevin De Bruyne also had a penalty saved by Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, but Koeman said Aguero’s latest miss suggested his brain freezes when put on the spot.
“To miss two penalties, maybe it is a little bit of a mental question,” said Koeman. “Maybe for Aguero. I don’t know, because it’s not the first time that he’s missed.”
Aguero missed two penalties in a Champions League qualifier away to Steaua Bucharest this season and also failed to convert from the spot for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier last week.
Despite Koeman’s suggestion of a mental issue facing Aguero over penalties, City boss Pep Guardiola praised his star striker’s courage for stepping up to take them.
“I love the players who have the personality to take the penalties,” said Guardiola. “I love it, I’m sorry.
“So I will never say to a player who wants to take the penalties ‘no, I want someone else to take them.’
“Sergio is intelligent, so if he’s not feeling confident, then he will say ‘I’ll step back and let another guy to kick the penalty.’”
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