Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hails Erling Haaland's sustained output despite heavy workload
The Blues boss insists tactical adjustments are needed to support the forward as the team looks toward the FA Cup final
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has described Erling Haaland's campaign as "incredible" following a 3-0 victory over Brentford. While acknowledging that the second half of the season has been indifferent for the striker, the City boss emphasised the Norwegian's ability to maintain high output despite a considerable burden in terms of minutes played.
Guardiola placed Haaland's season in context by comparing his workload to that of Ousmane Dembele at Paris Saint-Germain. The manager noted that Haaland has played 2,000 more minutes than the French forward this season, a figure he cited during a press conference after the win. Despite the heavy minute count, the 25-year-old has scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 50 outings across all competitions.
The manager recalled a period earlier in the term where Haaland struggled for sharpness following international duty with Norway. Guardiola admitted the striker was visibly tired when he returned from qualification matches but highlighted that he has remained a constant threat throughout the campaign. The City boss pointed out that Haaland continues to deliver set-pieces and a clear sense of goal even after such demanding schedules.
Despite the individual success, Guardiola issued a clear tactical directive for the remainder of the season. He insisted that Manchester City must bring more players into the box to support Haaland and maximise his goal-scoring potential. The manager argued that when the striker is isolated, it becomes significantly harder for him to score, suggesting that additional bodies arriving late in moves would increase the team's overall output.
With the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley and three Premier League matches against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa still to come, Haaland's fitness will be central to how the season ends. Guardiola expressed no concern on either front, noting that the striker has started every significant fixture in the club's recent run-in.
The comparison with Dembele serves as a striking testament to Haaland's durability, particularly given the striker's admission that he does not like the spotlight. Guardiola's observation that City need more bodies arriving into the box around Haaland is a tactical note as much as a compliment, acknowledging that the forward's threat is maximised not by isolation but by support.
