Tuesday, October 4, 2022

guardiola: Erling Haaland peerless at just 22, says Man City boss Pep Guardiola

At 22, Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring achievements are unmatched by any other player, according to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who urged the Norwegian to keep improving.

Haaland has scored 17 goals in 10 competitive games for City since joining Borussia Dortmund, where he scored 86 times in 89 appearances.

He has scored a hat-trick in each of City’s last three home Premier League games and became the fastest player to reach 25 Champions League goals with an acrobatic winner against Dortmund three weeks ago.

“Nobody can match him at his age,” Guardiola said on Tuesday on the eve of his home match against FC Copenhagen. “The numbers speak for themselves.

“Inside, on the pitch, in the locker room, we see things that aren’t in the stats that make us feel happy to have him here.”

Another 22-year-old, Phil Foden, also scored a hat-trick as City stunned local rivals Manchester United in a 6-3 win on Sunday.

Foden is reportedly close to signing a new contract linking his future to the club where he came through the academy.

“Because of his performances during these years, of course we want him to stay,” Guardiola said.

“He’s an extraordinary player, he’s grown up. Already he’s been with us for many years, he’s reliable in terms of his physical condition, he’s so intense in everything, every three days he’s able to play.

“Both (Halland and Foden), they know they can do better and hopefully they can.”

After beating Sevilla and Dortmund in their opening two group games, City could move into the last 16 of the Champions League with another win over Copenhagen on Wednesday.

But Guardiola is wary of taking the Danish champion lightly after the excitement from City’s derby win.

“We have to be careful,” he said. “We have to get back to reality. If we can score nine points in three games, we will be very close to the next stage.”

Rodri may come back after missing a combined struggle with a calf strain, but Kyle Walker is expected to be out.

Originally published at Pen 18

No comments:

Post a Comment

new zealand: Rain interrupts play in second ODI against New Zealand with India on 22-0 after 4.5 overs

India were 22 for no loss in 4.5 overs against New Zealand when rain stopped play in the second one-day international at Seddon Park here on...