Take 2017-2019 out the equation. In that period we squoze the last bit of quality at the top level from David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho as a defensive mid. We also probably had the last of Agueros best years and we had Leroy Sane.
We finished 18 points behind a side who are very strong defensively and have Salah, Mane and Firmino up front with amazing full backs. We scored the most goals, but we lost 9 games. We were flat track bullies and we didn’t take our chances in games that mattered. It’s plainly obvious we need a forward to compete for the title. I know we’ve signed Torres, but he will need time to adjust and he’s not got the numbers of goals & assists to suggest he’s going to make the difference for us this season.
Aguero is the wrong side of his peak and coming back from a serious knee injury which is in addition to the 2-3 muscular injuries he has got most seasons of his city career. Jesus bottles chances in big games and imo is not good enough as first choice. We are short of top attacking quality in big matches.