Pep Guardiola has fired a warning to Manchester City’s rivals by saying “goal machine” Erling Haaland is looking fitter than ever after scoring four times in his opening two games.
The Norwegian striker will lead the line at West Ham on Saturday looking to add to his 67 goals in 68 Premier League appearances. Haaland missed 14 City matches through injury last season but was allowed an extended rest because Norway did not qualify for the European Championship.
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“His ability is his strength and potential and power, and being a goal machine,” Guardiola said. “Please don’t ever change that – he cannot lose that. Of course he is involved because we talk about how you can do better. The most important thing is this season he feels [better] … When he arrived from Dortmund he had a lot of problems with injuries, last season he struggled with the success of the past. This season I feel he is better, staying on the pitch after training sessions a bit more for crosses and finishing.
“I spoke with the physios and he doesn’t have any niggles. One game a week, tiredness will come. Now he goes to play the Nations League with Norway and it’s a 10-hour flight. He has to be careful but so far, part of the tour in the States, he came back to be focused. As much as he’s happy and enjoying scoring goals, it never disappears.”
City will be without Phil Foden, who is ill, but Rodri is set to return to the squad. Foden is a doubt for England’s matches against Republic of Ireland and Finland, having also missed City’s win over Ipswich. “He played 45 minutes against Chelsea and after he didn’t feel good,” Guardiola said. “We made tests, he feels better but he doesn’t feel perfect, so we prefer to give him time to come back after the international break.”