Micah Richards has explained that he didn't believe Sergio Aguero was that good when he first played in training with him for Manchester City.
Aguero has returned from injury to start for City vs Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League. It's an important comeback for the Blues, who have also been without the services of fellow striker Gabriel Jesus.
Aguero has been a key player for City over the years since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2011, helping the club land four Premier League titles since then.
But Richards, who played alongside Aguero from 2011 until 2015, has admitted that he wasn't completely sure of the Argentine's talent in the early days of his City career.
Speaking ahead of City's game against Arsenal, Richards told Sky Sports: "He is so important for City in the role that he plays working in between the lines. When Raheem Sterling or Riyad Mahrez play in the centre, they lose that threat in front of goal.
"It's crazy because when I first trained with him, I actually didn't think he was that good. As ridiculous as it sounds, just because of how he trains. He was so laid back. He didn't really care too much about training. But as soon as he made his debut and scored two goals I was like, 'wow, that is why we paid the money for him'. He is so vital to the way Man City want to play."
