Erling Haaland’s absence from Manchester City’s attack, according to Pep Guardiola, is not his fault. Because the entire team should bear responsibility when things don’t work out. Haaland has scored an impressive 32 goals in his first season with City. The Norwegian forward continues to be divisive because the PL winners lack their prior fluidity with him in the lineup. The 22-year-old was held to scoreless draws last week against Leipzig and Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola, the City manager, dismissed claims that Haaland infrequent touches were affecting his total contribution.
“It is our fault, not Erling’s. Erling has been impressive all season,” Guardiola said Friday on the eve of City’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth.
“It’s not metrics, I don’t need metrics to know. When I finish the game, one second later I know if he has been involved or not and who should be more involved or not.”
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Guardiola believes Haaland will be more effective
Guardiola acknowledged that his team needs to get better to support Haaland progression at City. Even if they are currently two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
“Striker is the most difficult position in the world because they have two players focused on him and Erling has more,” he added. “It’s not easy to do that.”
“I would like to see in my career here our other strikers like Sergio (Aguero) or Gabriel (Jesus) when they played proper striker not false nine how many times did they touch the ball.” Guardiola said amidst Haaland critics.
“It’s not about have the ball, striker. Our process is more. It’s fine. I am frustrated too. You are frustrated too in your life sometimes isn’t it? Happiness is overestimated.”
Kevin De Bruyne missed the Champions League tie against Leipzig on Wednesday due to sickness and is questionable for the Bournemouth game on Saturday.
Guardiola claimed that his team was under pressure as they were in the middle of a stretch of five away games. Haaland still needs time.
“Now it is a question to consider because our fatigue is there, definitely, but we have to take energy from I don’t know where, but we have to do it,” he said.
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