Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola believes that Erling Haaland is not in his best condition and can improve, although the Norwegian striker became the fastest player to score 20 goals in the history of the English Premier League during the 3-1 victory over Leeds United on Wednesday.
Haaland continued his amazing scoring record when he scored a brace at Elland Road Stadium, taking his tally to 20 goals in just 14 league games, seven games behind the fastest previous player to reach this figure.
Haaland scored 26 goals in 20 matches with Guardiola’s team in all competitions, and he is also the fastest player to score 25 goals under the leadership of the Spanish coach in the major teams he coached.
Guardiola said, “(Haaland) missed opportunities, I hope he improves, but the numbers are exceptional. He is a dangerous weapon for us and is always in the right place at the right time.”
“I feel he’s not at his best, it’s only a matter of time, we’re happy with him of course but his start wasn’t very fast at the start of the season and now he might stumble a bit, but it’s a matter of time.
“I am still more than satisfied with his performance but I feel he was more aggressive in the first half of the season.”
Haaland took a long time to prepare for the next step due to Norway’s absence from the World Cup in Qatar, and the 22-year-old believes that this period helped him to enhance his feeling of hunger.
“I was at home, a little angry at not participating in the World Cup, I charged my energy,” Haaland told the Amazon platform.
And he continued, “Watching others score and win World Cup matches excites me, motivates me and annoys me. I am more thirsty and prepared than ever.”
Haaland’s double was special, especially since he was born in Leeds, and his father Alfie played for this team, as he was coached previously in Salzburg by Jesse Marsh, the current Leeds coach.
“I’m just happy for him, in a way it was painful to watch him score,” said Marsh, whose side are two points clear of the relegation zone.
“But when you see a guy like him with such abilities, you hope he’s always at his best, but not against your team, but I’m happy for him, he’s a great guy.”