Sergio Aguero is facing a long lay-off after the Manchester City striker was injured in a car crash in Amsterdam on Thursday — less than 48 hours before Saturday’s clash with Chelsea.
Reports in Argentina this morning suggested Aguero will be out for at least two months after suffering fractured ribs when the taxi in which he was travelling hit a pillar.
City confirmed Aguero was today travelling back to Manchester to be assessed, before he is officially ruled out of the game against title rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
City did not confirm what injuries the 29-year-old sustained but if they are serious, it would be a major setback for Pep Guardiola.
A statement from City said Aguero was on his day off but questions have been asked about why he was in Amsterdam just two days before such an important match.
City said: “Sergio Aguero will be assessed by club doctors today 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 clash at Chelsea.”
Dutch police confirmed two men were involved in a car crash in the De Boelelaan area of Amsterdam and were taken to hospital.
Reports in Argentina claimed Aguero had been at a concert of Colombian singer-songwriter Maluma in Amsterdam and was travelling back to the airport when the accident happened.
The news of Aguero’s car accident comes a day after City announced that left-back Benjamin Mendy had ruptured knee ligaments and would be sidelined for a lengthy spell.
France international Mendy, who became the world’s most expensive defender when he joined City from Monaco for £52million, was set to have surgery today after seeing a specialist in Barcelona.
Losing Aguero would be a huge blow to City. The Argentina international has been in great form so far this season and is the joint top scorer — alongside Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku — in the Premier League with six goals.
He has scored 10 goals against Chelsea throughout his career and is just one goal away from equalling the all-time club scoring record — held by Eric Brooks — of 177 goals for City.
City are top of the Premier League alongside Manchester United but the game against Chelsea will be their first real test of the season.
In his absence, Brazilian star Gabriel Jesus is set to lead the line against Antonio Conte’s side.
Guardiola was due to provide an update on Aguero’s condition when he held his weekly press conference this afternoon.