Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has come to the support of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian forward has been criticized recently for his lack of involvement during the games. Haaland has been kept quiet during their games for the past few weeks, a feat that not many teams have managed to do this season. However, Guardiola has explained that Haaland is not the only person to be blamed.
During a news conference, Pep Guardiola talked about Erling Haaland’s recent performances. As per the Manchester Evening News, Guardiola said, “It is our fault, not Erling. With Erling I’ve been impressed. He’s been impressive all season. I don’t need metrics to know how many… When I finish the game, one second later I know if he was involved or not, and who should be more involved or not.“
Guardiola: “Haaland’s lack of touches? It’s our fault. Erling has been good all season. We need to look for him a little more”. 🔵 #MCFC
“When I finish a game, one second later I know if he was involved or not, who should be involved more or not… it depends on us”. pic.twitter.com/tufuuH6Jqp
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 24, 2023
The former Barcelona coach didn’t seem much concerned about Haaland’s recent performances. Guardiola added, “Of course it’s fine [if he’s frustrated], I am frustrated too, you are frustrated too in your life sometimes, isn’t it? It happens. Happiness is overestimated! ” Even though Erling Haaland hasn’t scored in his last two matches against Nottingham Forest and Leipzig, the former Dortmund star still remains City’s top scorer.
However, Haaland’s number of touches still remains a concern for Guardiola. Currently, Haaland is averaging a mere 26 touches per match in the Premier League. However, the Norwegian talisman does make up for his lesser touches through his goals. So far, Haaland has netted 26 times in the Premier League and is in pole position to bag the Premier League Golden Boot award in his debut season.
Pep Guardiola impressed by Erling Haaland’s performance as he shifts blame on the team
While Guardiola has praised Erling Haaland, the Spanish coach did shift the blame on the team. Guardiola feels that Haaland’s performances depend a big deal on how the other Manchester City players perform. Guardiola said, “It’s our fault. Yes of course, it depends on us. We need to look for him a little more. The striker is the most difficult position, one man has two defenders (around him) and with Erling, it’s more.“
However, the fans do not feel the same way about Erling Haaland like Pep Guardiola. Many fans think that Haaland is up to the standards of a club like Manchester City. One fan even went on to the extent of saying, “Without De Bruyne Haaland is finished. ” The debate about Erling Haaland has gathered a lot of reactions from soccer fans.
Here’s a series of Twitter reactions:
Without De Bruyne Haaland is finished. Guardiola should better start looking for De Bruyne’s replacement
— Nongmiseh Tar Thomas Ndzidze (@tarthomas237) February 24, 2023
This is exactly what happened to him when he was in BVB: rocket start with scoring goals and then slowing down to none and finally picking up some injuries.
— Kazumasa Ishii (@nycairnomad) February 24, 2023
However, as Manchester City enters the last phase of the season, Guardiola will need Erling Haaland back in form. Currently, City sits second in the Premier League table with 52 points from 24 games. Arsenal, who is the league leader, has 54 points from 23 games. Manchester City has already been knocked out of the EFL Cup, while they are still alive in the Champions League and the FA Cup.