Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola has provided an encouraging update on striker Erling Haaland ahead of his side’s Premier League trip to Brentford on Monday (5 February).
The Cityzens are in great form, extending their winning streak in all competitions to eight games, and are unbeaten in 11 games since December, when they lost 1-0 to Aston Villa.
Interestingly, Guardiola’s side have hardly missed Haaland, with the Norwegian missing 10 games across all competitions with a stress fracture in his foot since the defeat against Villa.
Haaland returned from almost two months out in the 3-1 home win over Burnley in midweek and is expected to start for Brentford. Guardiola says he has a healthy team (via Sports Mall):
“Yeah, he (Haaland) is ready, everyone is fit… I don’t know if you watched the Burnley game, but (Haaland) played 30 minutes, every transition, every pass, Every player was thinking about what’s next.”They know how important he is.
“We try to keep all the strikers happy, especially him. It depends on how we play. If we are comfortable, he will get the ball a lot and then he will take care of the rest. He will do it.”
They are five points behind second-place Liverpool (51), who lead the City Trail League, but there are still games left.
How has Manchester City striker Erling Haaland fared this season?
Erling Haaland is in the midst of an excellent second season at Manchester City, despite being out of action for nearly two months.
The 23-year-old Norwegian international scored 52 goals last season, with 19 goals and five assists in 23 competitive games. This includes a league-leading 14 goals and five assists in 16 league games as City chase an unprecedented fourth successive title.
Haaland has scored five goals in the UEFA Champions League, with City completing a perfect performance in the group stage and facing FC Copenhagen in the Round of 16 later this month.
Pep Guardiola’s Triple Crown champions are still alive in the FA Cup, beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 last month to reach the fifth round, where they will face Luton Town.
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