Pep Guardiola has confirmed that striker Erling Haaland is feeling ‘much better’ but stopped short of declaring the Norwegian fit for Manchester City’s meeting with Fulham on Saturday.
The Norwegian striker has excelled in front of goal following his summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund, scoring 22 goals in just 16 appearances across all competitions, including 17 strikes in only 11 Premier League games.
However, since being withdrawn at half time against his former club Dortmund 10 days ago, Haaland has missed the last two matches against Leicester City and Sevilla due to “ligament damage” in his foot.
City have managed to cope without the 6ft 5in striker, with Kevin De Bruyne making the difference in a 1-0 Premier League win away at Leicester last weekend, before second-half strikes from Rico Lewis, Julian Alvarez and Riyad Mahrez helped the Citizens beat Sevilla 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, City supporters are eager to see their No.9 return to the starting lineup this weekend, and Guardiola has provided a positive update ahead of their encounter with Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday afternoon, Guardiola said: “[Haaland is] much better, we’ll decide today. A good step, he starts training. We see this afternoon.
“We consider himself, his opinion, the doctor opinion, 90 minutes or less minutes, we’ll see.”
Alvarez, who signed in the summer along with Haaland, has been forced to play second fiddle since the start of the season, but impressed when given the chance in recent outings. Should Haaland miss out again, it would mean the Argentine would be tasked with playing a third game in a week, an issue his manager has no concerns over. “He’s so young…he’s so young and at that age you can play every day.”
Phil Foden has been another star of City’s early-season form, but has been left on the bench for the champions’ most recent pair of Premier League fixtures. Foden has six goals and three assists in the league, but Guardiola insists all of his attacking talents have to accept that rotation is a given.
“Him and Riyad [Mahrez] and [Jack] Grealish and Bernardo [Silva] and [Ilkay Gunogan and [Kevin] De Bruyne have been on the bench. Not an issue, many players have to use them, demand the best of them, this has to happen, always has been like that.
“No player plays because they play. In Dortmund we play to qualify first and De Bruyne doesn’t play.”
Meanwhile, the City boss paid an emotional tribute to one of his greatest ever players after Gerard Pique announced his upcoming retirement from professional football. The Spain international played under Guardiola during a period of unprecedented success for the Blaugrana, where every club honour was brought to the Camp Nou.
“He was here in England at a young age. After that he made an incredible career in Barcelona. I wish him personally all the best for him and his family. I know his mum and dad.
“Incredible human being, huge personality. A player for the big games, never miss once or behave or performance not in the highest level. All the big clubs need these players.
“Won everything for Barcelona and Spain. The time arrives, the future will be bright, he’s a smart guy. An honour to be his manager, we spent an incredible four years together.”
