No Pep talk for Aguero despite Amsterdam injury
PEP GUARDIOLA has no problem with Sergio Aguero spending a day off in Amsterdam after the Manchester City striker was injured in a car crash there on Thursday.
Aguero broke a rib after being involved in a road accident while visiting the city for a music concert.
The incident occurred at around 11pm as Aguero travelled back to an airport in a taxi after attend- ing the gig. Guardiola said: “I think days off are to be happy. I want the players to be happy. Always I am a manager who doesn’t like to train every day.
“I think the players have to rest mentally and physically. They can enjoy their lives. I want my players to have fun. If they decide to go there, they decide to go there.”
Aguero is understood to have been hurt when the taxi came off the road and hit a post. He was treated in hospital and was due to arrive back in Manchester for further assessment by club medical staff yesterday afternoon.
Guardiola said he did not know how long he would be without his prolific forward but he would definitely miss the leaders’ Premier League trip to champions Chelsea today. He said: “He cannot play tomorrow and the international break – maybe he was selected for Argentina but he cannot go there.”
Aguero, 29, had started the season impressively, scoring seven goals in eight appearances to move within one of equalling Eric Brook’s club record 177.
Aguero was reported by Spanish sports newspaper AS to have told Argentinian station Radio Metro: “The taxi driver did not see the curve and skidded. And when he skidded, we hit the pole. I broke my rib, now I’m resting. It hurts me badly. I’ll be discharged in a little while.”
News of Aguero’s accident came after news on injuries to left-back Benjamin Mendy and captain Vincent Kompany.
Guardiola said: “Mendy will be operated on this afternoon in Barcelona. He will be out until our semi-finals of the Champions League.”
Kompany has missed the last six games with a calf injury and remains out of action.