Sergio Aguero can partner Gabriel Jesus up front at Manchester City, says Pep Guardiola

PEP GUARDIOLA is still convinced Sergio Aguero can be a perfect match for Manchester City new-boy Gabriel Jesus.

The sensational start made by the Brazilian teenager has led to question marks over the future of City’s top scorer.

Aguero, 28, was left on the bench on Wednesday while Jesus teamed up with Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane to run West Ham ragged.

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But Guardiola assured Aguero he remains pretty much the most important player at the Etihad.

And Pep plans to shift Jesus out wide — a role his old club Palmeiras regularly used him in — to allow the Argentine to play down the middle.

Sources close to Aguero indicated he is keen to stay at City and fight for his place, so Guardiola’s words will be encouraging.

He said: “Gabriel arrives, he played well and that’s why he was used at West Ham. But they can play together.

“Individually, Gabriel can play on the left. Now I have many options.

“In Brazil, Gabriel played on the left side — he likes to play on the left with the movement in diagonals — like he was doing in the last games.

“Both can play together because Gabriel is not just one in behind, he is good in the box, he is a fighter.

“His back-tracking is really good, that’s why he can help a lot.”

Aguero has 18 goals overall this season and has risen to third on the club’s all-time leading scorers list.

And that comes less than six years after his arrival.

The feeling persists that Guardiola wants more from the him but City’s boss insists the former Atletico Madrid forward is still a vital player in his plans.

Guardiola added: “Sergio remains the squad’s most, or one of the most, important players.

“I understand the debate. But there is no doubt about Sergio’s quality.

“Without him it will not be possible to achieve what we want. I can say how happy I am with what he did — except the seven games when he was banned.

“The big clubs in Europe always have a lot of strikers — here there was Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez, Sergio and Edin Dzeko all together.

“Sergio has played all the games except one in Barcelona for a tactical decision and one when he had come back from Argentina.

“The others — when he was not banned — he always played good.”

Jesus has only played two full games for City but his enthusiasm has already impressed his boss.

Pep said: “He’s 19 but he’s settled quickly. He speaks enough English words to understand us. He’s taking lessons every day. That means a lot.

“In his three appearances he’s shown a lot in terms of desire, helped us with high-pressing intensity, his movement in the box.”

Guardiola has another big call to make ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Swansea — but is expected to keep faith with Willy Caballero in goal.

He axed Claudio Bravo, 33, after a difficult run but urges the Chilean not to give up on his City career.

He said: “It depends on what I see. I am not a guy who plays the same 11 all the time for two months.

“Claudio’s a huge professional with a lot of experience. I explained and he understood. He’s strong enough.”