Sergio Aguero's lack of honours baffles Manchester City boss Pellegrini

LONDON - Manuel Pellegrini said it was "strange" Sergio Aguero has never been Player of the Year in England after the Manchester City star's hat-trick secured a 3-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday.

Despite being one of the Premier League's most consistent goalscorers in recent seasons, Aguero has yet to win either the Football Writers' player of the year award or the equivalent honour from his peers in England's Professional Footballers' Association.

Aguero failed to make this week's shortlist for the 2016 PFA award.

It didn't seem to bother him as counter-attacking strikes either side of half-time, plus a penalty 10 minutes from the finish at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off for a foul on Fernandinho, took the Argentina striker's tally to 21 league goals so far this season.

"It's very strange that Sergio has played so many years here and has never been the best Premier League player here," said Pellegrini after a win that saw City stay four points clear of local rivals Manchester United in the race for a place in next season's Champions League.

Related: Aguero scores hat-trick, puts himself in Golden Boot discussion

"I think here, in the Premier League, we have very good players but without doubt Sergio is one of the best and so important," he added