Barca in crisis! Aguero ruled out for three months

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 1 Nov 2021 19:54 GMT
• 3 min read

Sergio Aguero has been ruled out for three months, plunging Barcelona further into crisis.

Big hopes had been pinned on the striker when he arrived as a free agent in the summer from Manchester City, but he missed the first two months of the season with a calf injury.

Since returning to action on 17 October with a brief cameo appearance against Valencia, he has played five times and scored one goal - against Real Madrid in a 2-1 Clasico loss.

However, on his second start on Saturday, he was withdrawn shortly before half-time in a home encounter against Alaves, reportedly suffering breathing difficulties.

Now Barcelona have released a statement explaining that the Argentina international will be away from the field for at least three months.

"Barca player Kun Agüero has been subjected to a diagnostic and therapeutic process by Dr. Josep Brugada. He is unavailable for selection and, during the next three months, the effectiveness of treatment will be evaluated in order to determine his recovery process," the club has stated.

Why Aguero's absence is such bad news

Aguero's absence represents a major blow to Barcelona simply because they do not have the means to go out and easily find a replacement.

With the club in major financial difficulties, securing new permanent transfers will be impossible. Furthermore, even getting loan players in will prove difficult due to the wage cap.

Barca will need to offload more players before anyone can be brought in.

Xavi, who is expected to take over from the sacked Ronald Koeman as head coach, will therefore face a major headache when he first arrives at the club.

Martin Braithwaite is also out until early 2022 after knee surgery, while Luuk de Jong is a player whose style clashes with Xavi's possession-based ideals.

Memphis Depay is liable to be the player deployed through the middle, although this is not the Netherlands star's favoured role.

Barcelona must therefore hope that Aguero's recovery is a swift and uncomplicated one.