Sergio Agüero suffers fractured rib in car accident

Manchester City forward Sergio Agüero has confirmed that he suffered a fractured rib when the Argentine taxi crashed in Amsterdam on Thursday evening. City boss Pep Guardiola added that the forward is set to miss his side Saturday’s match against Chelsea, and Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers in early October.

A statement from the club said: “Sergio Agüero will be assessed by club doctors today [Friday] after being involved in a road accident on Thursday. The City forward was in Holland on his day off and has sustained injuries. He will return to Manchester this morning and his status will be checked ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League clash at Chelsea.”

Speaking to Radio Metro de Argentina, Agüero said: “The taxi driver did not see the curve and skid. And when he skidded, we hit him with the pole.

“I broke my rib, now I’m resting. It hurts me badly. I’ll be discharged in a little while.”

Guardiola is unaware of the full extent of his player’s injuries and how long he will be sidelined, but said he was relaxed about Agüero spending the day overseas.

“The first impression is he has broken a rib but the number of days he will be out, I don’t know,” Guardiola said. “A day off is to be happy … I am a trainer who doesn’t want to train every day because [the players] need to rest, mentally and physically.”

The Argentinian’s injury is the second setback suffered by Man City in two days after the club left-back Benjamin Mendy was ruled out of action for several months because of a knee ligament injury.

Guardiola confirmed that the former Monaco left-back will be out until the semi-finals of the Champions League – which being on 24-25 April – should City reach that stage.

City play their title rivals Chelsea in Saturday’s late game after losing both Premier League matches last season against Antonio Conte’s side, Agüero’s absence would serve as a big blow for Guardiola who’s hoping to record a first win over the champions since becoming manager.

Earlier on Thursday night, the Argentina international had posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the Colombian singer-songwriter Maluma. It is thought Agüero had been attending the singer’s concert before the accident.

Agüero’s first club Independiente tweeted: “Strength and prompt recovery. Everyone @ Independiente is with you in this difficult moment.”

Agüero has so far scored seven goals in eight appearances this season. He is also one goal away from equalling the club’s all-time scoring record, and missed the opportunity to do so from the penalty spot against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.