Sergio Aguero Shrugs Off PFA Snub with Superb Hat-Trick for Man City vs. QPR

The PFA Player of the Year voting protocol is often viewed as flawed. It takes place at the end of February—too early, some believe, to provide a barometer of the player who has truly lit up the Premier League over the course of the season.

There have been a number of questionable outcomes in recent years, but Sergio Aguero's omission from this season's shortlist and, indeed, the Team of the Year is arguably the most baffling.

"

PFA's failure to name Aguero in the team of the year looks more baffling by the week

— James Robson (@JamesRobsonMEN) May 10, 2015"

Aguero scored another hat-trick on Sunday in Manchester City's 6-0 win over Queens Park Rangers. He now has 25 league goals—five more than his nearest rival, Harry Kane, and a new club Premier League record—and 31 in 40 games across all competitions. Given that he's only been involved in 73 percent of City's total minutes in the league this season, it's a frightening set of statistics.

For all the talk of the need to rebuild City this summer after a limp title defence, few could argue they don't possess one of the finest players in the history of English football and one their next phase of development should built around.

At 26, Aguero continues to make improvements to his already vast game, and his best years may well still be ahead of him.

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TOP #BPL SCORERS: 25 - Aguero 20 - Kane 19 - Costa 17 - Austin 16 - Sanchez pic.twitter.com/1fm4EyLdEr

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 10, 2015"

The three points City collected here confirmed QPR's relegation to the championship and almost certainly guaranteed the Blues will finish inside the top three, avoiding a potentially disruptive Champions League qualification game in August—a huge relief to Manuel Pellegrini, whose position at the club has been under serious scrutiny. 

It's a situation that, only a few weeks ago, looked far from secure. City lost badly to Manchester United and appeared to be in free fall, but four wins in succession since the derby have altered the picture dramatically.

They played with a freedom and confidence that's been absent for much of the season. QPR stood off City, barely ran and looked utterly shambolic throughout, but the quality Pellegrini's side displayed—particularly Aguero and David Silva—was a welcome sight for the club's fans, many of whom have been underwhelmed by the campaign.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Silva orchestrates whilst Aguero destroys, and QPR had no answer. The Argentinian gave former fan favourite Richard Dunne the runaround—his lack of sharpness on the turn is understandable, given he's fast approaching his 36th birthday, but it played right into Aguero's hands.

His low centre of gravity, balance, blistering pace and ability to produce powerful, accurate shots from minimal backlift make him impossible to nullify comfortably. The precision with which he finishes continues to amaze those who watch him regularly, and QPR had no answer to his brilliance. 

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31 goals in 40 games for Aguero this season. The guy's a joy to watch. #MCFC

— James Ducker (@DuckerTheTimes) May 10, 2015"

Given how inept QPR were throughout the game, drawing too many conclusions from City's perspective would be dangerous, but it seems preparations for next season have already begun.

Eliaquim Mangala continued his run of games in the back four, further growing in assuredness. The same can be said of Fernando, another player who struggled initially but who has begun to develop some kind of role in the side in recent weeks. They will benefit from their respective runs in the first team and are likely to start next season in better shape than they did this campaign. 

And Wilfried Bony, the club's big January signing, impressed during a 30-minute cameo. He won a header from a corner in the buildup to James Milner's tap-in, blasted an impressive first-time shot that struck the upright and produced a wonderful backheel assist for City's sixth score. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

Afterwards, Pellegrini said Aguero continues to improve.

"When I see him playing, I'm happy how he is improving," he said. "[He] continues to work hard and improve.

"I have conviction about my ideas. When we won last season, I spoke about goals, but you must have conviction and keep playing in this way." 

One more point will see City secure a top-three place, and then a summer of important transfer activity can commence. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.