Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed fitness concerns surrounding star striker Erling Haaland. During City’s recent friendly against Barcelona, Haaland was substituted off, and Guardiola later revealed that this decision was due to an injury concern.
Guardiola confirms Haaland injury fear
“Erling is not comfortable,” Guardiola said in post-match comments. “We don’t want to take risks. But sooner or later he has to take a step with training and minutes.”
Guardiola explained further, “The season is there, around the corner. He has niggles, muscular, we don’t want to take a risk and lose him for three weeks or a month. That would be a problem.”
“He didn’t feel good and that’s why he didn’t play the second half,” Guardiola added, emphasizing the precautionary nature of Haaland’s substitution.
Guardiola’s nightmare
With Julián Álvarez currently representing Argentina at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, losing Haaland could be a significant blow for City, leaving them without a senior recognized striker. Guardiola might have to rely on alternative options like Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, or Bernardo Silva in a False Nine role if Haaland is unavailable.
Haaland’s absence would be a considerable loss for City, as the Norwegian striker has been prolific, scoring 63 league goals in 62 starts over the past two seasons. City’s upcoming fixtures include a final pre-season friendly against Chelsea and the Community Shield match against Manchester United. Guardiola may opt to rest Haaland in these matches to ensure he is fit for the start of the Premier League season, where City will again face Chelsea on August 18.
This isn’t the first time City have had to manage without Haaland. Last season, he missed the FIFA Club World Cup and also missed around two months of their Premier League campaign due to various injury issues. Ensuring Haaland’s fitness will be crucial for City’s campaign, as they aim to defend their Premier League title and make it a record extending fifth consecutive league title.
