‘We create the chances’… Pep Guardiola now gives honest verdict on Erling Haaland’s verdict against Chelsea

Redaction Simon Brett with Srinivas Sadhanand
Published on 2024-02-18 14:30:00

After Manchester City’s 1-1 draw to Chelsea on Saturday, Pep Guardiola shared his thoughts on Erling Haaland’s performance.

Robbie Mustoe noted that the Norwegian international usually converts the numerous chances he missed against Mauricio Pochettino’s team.

Following the match, Haaland was seen pushing a camera away that was filming his disappointed reaction.

Despite his disappointing display, Guardiola came to his defense, stating that Haaland will have more opportunities in the future to score. Guardiola emphasized that football is a team sport and that the entire team’s performance, not just Haaland’s, should be taken into account.

The first missed opportunity for Haaland set the tone for the rest of the game, as he missed a close-range header after a promising cross from Alvarez in the first half. Raheem Sterling later scored for the visitors, but Haaland continued to struggle in front of goal.

Even though many managers might have publicly criticized Haaland after such a poor performance, Guardiola chose to take a more understanding approach.

“I played for 11 years and scored 11 goals. One goal a season. I’m not a proper man to give advice to strikers. We create the chances and next time, he’s going to score. I don’t blame him. As a team and a group, the first half was not like we are”, he said [via journalist Simon Bajkowski on X].

Guardiola recognized that criticizing Haaland in public would only hurt his confidence, and instead he chose to focus on the team’s performance as a whole.

In making this decision, Guardiola displayed his understanding of the psychological dynamics of the sport. He knows that it is important for Haaland, a young and talented striker, to regain his confidence during the crucial final stages of the season.

In summary, while Haaland’s performance was disappointing, Guardiola’s decision to not publicly criticize him was wise. Instead, he chose to offer positive reinforcement and focus on the collective performance of the team. This strategic approach demonstrates Guardiola’s understanding of the mental aspects of the game and his ability to manage players effectively.

Read Original article on Manchester City News