Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola defends Sergio Aguero for Netherlands trip on day off

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Pep Guardiola does not have a problem with Sergio Aguero’s trip to the Netherlands on his day off despite the Manchester City striker being involved in a car crash.

Aguero broke his rib in the road traffic accident when a taxi he was travelling in swerved and crashed into a lamp post in Amsterdam.

The Argentine was travelling home from a music concert by the Columbian singer Maluma. He will return to Manchester on Friday afternoon when he will be assessed by City’s medical team.

Aguero will miss City’s trip to fellow Premier League title contenders Chelsea on Saturday evening.

“The first impression is that he has broken rib but the number of days he will be out, I don’t know right now,” Guardiola said.

When asked whether he had a problem with Aguero being in Amsterdam, Guardiola said: “No. Day off. I want the players to be happy. I think the players have to rest mentally, physically. They can enjoy their lives.”

Guardiola also confirmed that summer signing Benjamin Mendy is likely to be out of contention until April after the full-back ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Crystal Palace last weekend.

“Mendy will be operated this afternoon in Barcelona,” Guardiola said. “He will be out until the semi-finals of the Champions League.”