Alan Shearer said he almost dozed off during Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal such was the poor quality on show.
22.09.2023 - 21:53 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Pep Guardiola has leapt to the defence of striker Erling Haaland, telling anyone who doubts his finishing that they will soon eat their words.
Haaland has seven goals and two assists in seven appearances for Manchester City this season, continuing his incredible goalscoring form since his arrival. But in the last two outings against West Ham and Red Star Belgrade the striker has missed nine big chances - including two from point-blank range at the London Stadium and one header that smacked the bar in the Champions League.
While Haaland scored at West Ham and set up Julian Alvarez 80 seconds into the second half against Red Star, it has not gone unnoticed that he could conceivably have had 10 goals over the two games. But Guardiola warned that anyone criticising Haaland is playing a dangerous game.
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"He has had incredible chances and he could have scored 14-15 goals [this season] and it would be the same debate," Guardiola said. "But what is important is what he always said, ‘I have the chance, I have the chance, I have the chance.' The problem is when I do not have chances or I do not get balls or I am in the wrong position.
"My advice is don’t criticise Erling too much. Criticise the full back, the central defender or the manager, but never, never the striker who scored all those goals because he will (score) and then you will be in a position where you have to apologise to him."
Guardiola confirmed Haaland's fitness has been managed in training since the start of pre-season after playing all the way until June 10 in the Champions League final with only a
Alan Shearer said he almost dozed off during Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal such was the poor quality on show.
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