Reports have emerged about how former Blues captain John Terry practically dissuaded Chelsea from signing Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid, and persuaded the club to rather go for former Valencia striker David Villa.

The Argentine striker moved to Manchester in 2011 and has been one of the division’s all-time most prolific players, scoring 173 goals – he is just two goals behind Thierry Henry in sixth place, and four behind Frank Lampard.

He has helped City win four Premier League titles and the FA Cup, but he very nearly moved to Stamford Bridge instead of the Etihad.

According to The Athletic, Chelsea made their first enquiry for Aguero two years before he joined City, though were initially put off by the transfer fee and salary demands.

Negotiations resumed while Carlo Ancelotti was in charge, but captain Terry – who, along with a number of key personnel at the time, wielded a huge amount of influence – vetoed the deal.

Terry was reportedly not a huge fan of the diminutive Argentine having played against him twice in the Champions League.

The English centre-back is said to have been unimpressed by Aguero’s movement and passed on his critique to Chelsea’s hierarchy, report the Metro.

He also suggested that the club should sign David Villa – who was still at Valencia at the time – ahead of Aguero and even namechecked the Spaniard after winning the FA Cup Final in 2009.

But Villa moved to Barcelona, winning the Champions League, while Chelsea’s interest in Aguero cooled after Terry’s assessment – though they did try and sign him again before he opted for City.

Ironically, Aguero had scored twice against a Terry-led Chelsea defence with Atletico before moving to City and has been prolific against the west Londoners ever since, scoring 15 times against the Blues in 18 appearances – there is no side in the Premier League he has scored more times against.