Player Focus: Kolarov Taking Chance to Nail Down City Starting Berth

There’s no denying that Sergio Agüero is the Premier League’s in-form frontman at this current time. It was something of a travesty that the Argentine was overlooked for a PFA Player of the Year nomination, while many felt that striker at least warranted a place in the team of the year given his goalscoring exploits this season. Not only did a hat trick and an assist in Manchester City’s 6-0 thumping of QPR on Sunday move him onto 25 league goals for the season, but reaffirmed the idea that Agüero is the finest in his position in England’s top tier at present.

As one might expect, Agüero picked up the WhoScored man of the match award, gaining a perfect rating of 10 following a phenomenal performance. The 26-year-old’s display certainly overshadowed his teammates, though that is not to say the likes of David Silva (9.52) and Aleksandar Kolarov (9.19) do not deserve ample praise for their role in the trouncing QPR. The latter, who stars in WhoScored's latest European team of the week, has excelled in the absence of Gaël Clichy of late. The Frenchman had established himself as first choice left-back under Manuel Pellegrini this season, but succumbed to injury following City’s 4-2 defeat to Manchester United last month. 

Sidelined as a result, Kolarov has performed above and beyond to claim a regular spot in Pellegrini’s starting XI. The uncompromising full-back came into the side for the welcome of West Ham last month and has impressed in the time since. His average rating over the last 4 league games (8.53) is the best of all players in the Premier League over that period. Kolarov has 2 man of the match awards this season, both of which came in recent wins over Aston Villa and Tottenham.  

The conundrum with being able to call on two excellent players in a position is that one will be left disappointed at being overlooked. Pellegrini had clearly favoured Clichy in defence, with Kolarov more often than not forced to settle for a place on the bench. In light of the latter’s good form, though, roles may be reversed once the former returns to fitness. 

Having signed from Lazio in 2010, the Serbia international failed to hold down a regular starting berth at the Etihad Stadium, especially once Clichy joined City a year later. The most starts Kolarov has made in a Premier League season is 21, that coming in Pellegrini’s debut campaign at the City helm. Inconsistency plagued the 29-year-old upon his arrival from Italy, but recent performances suggests he has corrected this side of his game - Kolarov can rightly be considered City’s most consistent player at present. 

Agüero may be hogging the limelight - 8 league goals in his last 5 appearances certainly contributes to that - but that should not detract admirers from heaping praise on Kolarov. His ability to yo-yo up the left flank is understandably his strongest asset. Only winger Jesús Navas (1.8) is averaging more accurate cross per game than Kolarov (1.5) of all City players this season. He is clearly capable of regularly finding a teammate when required, accentuating the left-back’s statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘crossing’. 

With modern day full-backs tasked with providing width from deep, the former Lazio defender performs his offensive duties with aplomb. Players in this position, though, also need to have the fitness levels to return to the back in order to contain any attacking opposition threat. Kolarov is certainly capable of doing so, with his reading of the game a strong point. 

Only Clichy (3.4) and Martín Demichelis (2.4) are averaging more interceptions per game than Kolarov (2.1) of all City players in the Premier League. The Serbian made 8 interceptions in the win at Spurs earlier this month, with the most in a single match this season being 9. The benefit of this is that the left-back is able to win the ball in potentially dangerous areas of the pitch. Of the 8 interceptions Kolarov made in the win over Spurs, 5 were closer to the halfway line than the City penalty area, while 2 were in the opposition half. 

The advantage of winning the ball so high up the field is that the player in question can spring surprise attacks and catch sides unawares. Kolarov is able to do just this, adding a further dimension to City’s attack. He not only stifles opposition offensive moves, but is able to quickly move the ball forward to improve the Citizens' chances of scoring.

With Kolarov in the team, City have looked a more resolute, yet fluid outfit, both offensively and defensively. With only two games left to the play in the Premier League this season, the full-back is expected to feature from the off against Swansea and Southampton in the coming weeks, which would be nothing less than he deserves after a series of splendid outings.

Do you think Aleksandar Kolarov should be Manchester City's starting left-back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below