Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his surprise at Erling Haaland’s phenomenal scoring performance this season, which has seen the Norwegian striker on the brink of breaking the Premier League’s single-season goal record. Haaland scored his 34th goal of the league campaign in Manchester City’s 2-1 win against Fulham on Sunday, drawing him level with joint-record holders Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.
Haaland’s goal at Craven Cottage was his 50th of the season in all competitions, breaking the all-time record by a Premier League player since the top flight was rebranded in 1992. With a potential 10 games remaining this season, Haaland could surpass Dixie Dean’s all-time English record of 63 goals set in the 1927/28 season.
Despite Haaland’s astonishing scoring feats, Guardiola revealed that even he did not expect such a performance from the former Borussia Dortmund star. Guardiola said, “It is a surprise for all of us — maybe not for him — to do what he’s doing in this difficult league but the way he behaves and has done it is for the success of the team. Of course it’s good for him and the team if he breaks the records. It’s a good sign. The magnitude of a record is because for a long time it was not broken. All records will be broken one day.”
Guardiola also expressed his belief that Haaland’s second season with Manchester City could be even better than his first. He said, “I think he has the desire to get better as a player. As long as he has that he can do it. I know him a bit and he is so competitive and positive in his mindset.
He has this incredible, positive self-confidence. It’s not arrogance. It’s self-confidence to say I am going to score and to arrive in his first season and score 50 already and equal the record for two legends in Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.”
Guardiola dismissed comparisons between Haaland and Lionel Messi, arguing that no one can compare with the Argentine superstar. Guardiola said, “Messi is the most complete player I have seen in terms of vision, dribbles, passes, competitiveness, in many things that are difficult. Hopefully Erling can be so close to Leo, that will be great for us and him, but I don’t help anyone to compare them.”
Manchester City are currently in control of the Premier League title race, but Guardiola remains cautious ahead of their home game against West Ham on Wednesday. Guardiola said, “West Ham maybe didn’t do the season they expected but that doesn’t mean the quality is not there. The weapons are there, they are a good team. I don’t have doubts about them. In one game anything can happen. We have to be absolutely ready.”
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