Guardiola Signals Haaland Will Play Key Role for City and Norway

Pep Guardiola has informed Norway’s national team manager, Ståle Solbakken, that striker Erling Haaland will likely face a demanding schedule this season. The 23-year-old forward has made a remarkable impact for both Manchester City and the Norwegian national team, scoring an impressive 24 goals in just 14 appearances across all competitions.

Haaland’s extraordinary form has positioned City as one of the leading contenders for multiple titles, while also placing Norway on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Despite Haaland’s critical role in Solbakken’s squad, Guardiola emphasized that the striker’s contributions are equally vital to City’s ambitions.

Guardiola expressed sympathy for Solbakken’s situation but remained focused on the immediate challenges ahead for City. “I’m so sorry for my colleague Ståle Solbakken from the national team of Norway, but I’m not thinking about that,” Guardiola stated. He acknowledged that if City secures a significant lead in the upcoming matches, there might be room for Haaland to rest.

Current circumstances suggest that Haaland is in peak condition. “He feels fit, he feels fine,” Guardiola noted. He highlighted the importance of the Champions League, stating, “We are in a position right now where the games we’ve played so far and the next two games at home will give us a really, really big chance to finish in the first eight.”

In the Premier League, Guardiola remains confident about his team’s performance. “I don’t have the feeling we are going to drop many points. That is a reality,” he remarked. Although City has experienced a few losses, the manager believes they still rank among the favorites for the title. “Three or four points at this stage is nothing. I have the feeling both teams will lose few points, and that’s why we have to be there.”

Haaland has maintained a scoring streak, finding the net in his last 12 matches for club and country. He will aim to extend this run when City faces Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. The striker is also closing in on a milestone of 100 Premier League goals, having recently reached 96 goals in just 105 appearances after his double against his last opponent.

As City prepares for the upcoming match, they continue to manage player fitness. The team is currently without a key midfielder and will assess the condition of his substitute, who sustained a foot injury in a recent game. As the season progresses, both Guardiola and Solbakken will need to navigate the balance between player welfare and competitive demands.