Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has expressed concerns over the fitness of star striker Erling Haaland ahead of the new Premier League season. The Norway international has been dealing with minor injuries, or 'niggles', as described by Guardiola.
Guardiola is carefully managing Haaland's game time during Manchester City’s pre-season tour in the United States. This strategy comes as part of their preparation for their Premier League title defence. The Norwegian striker is one of the more senior players on this tour, with other key players like Rodri, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden given time to recover after their participation in Euro 2024.
Haaland has already made his mark in pre-season friendlies against Celtic and Milan by scoring goals but was substituted at half-time during City’s last two summer outings. This includes a recent 2-2 draw in Barcelona match.
Injury concerns from previous season
The former Borussia Dortmund striker had spent some time on the sidelines towards the end of 2023 due to injury issues. As a result, Guardiola revealed that Haaland is not yet fully fit as they approach their first match - Community Shield against Manchester United on Saturday 10 August.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, said:
"Erling is not comfortable. We don't want to take risks. But sooner or later he has to take a step with training and minutes. 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."
"Sixty-seventy per cent of the squad are on holiday. That's why we need the players. At the same time, we have alternatives, Oscar [Bobb] makes an incredible job again. We're pleased with many things."
During City’s draw with Barcelona where Nico O'Reilly and Jack Grealish scored for them, Haaland was taken off at half-time again. The match eventually went to penalties after Pau Victor and Pablo Torre scored for Barcelona who triumphed 4-1 from the spot.
Tough start for the new season
Manchester City will next face Premier League rivals Chelsea on Saturday night in what will be their final pre-season friendly before they kick-off their campaign against Manchester United in Community Shield.
While it seems clear that Guardiola doesn't want to take risks with his star striker, the fans will be hoping that Haaland can regain full fitness soon and play a crucial role in Manchester City's title defence.
