Haaland Has Printed 10 Goals In Premier League, Guardiola: If Depending On Him, We Will Not Champions League Champions
JAKARTA - Erling Haaland looked crazy with Manchester City at the start of the 2022/2023 Premier League season. The Norwegian striker has scored 10 goals in six games since moving from Borussia Dortmund.
Although Haaland performed well with City in the domestic arena, Pep Guardiola's manager was reluctant to depend too much on him. Moreover, he only hopes for Haaland's figure in the Champions League.
According to Guardiola, The Citizens will not feel the Champions League title if they do that.
"All the players who came here were brought here by the club to make us better, that makes sense," Guardiola said, as reported by Antara from AFP, Tuesday, September 6.
"If we rely on Erling's shoulders, we won't win the Champions League," he continued.
City has never won a Champions League competition. The last time they were defeated by Real Madrid in the semifinals.
The ambition to be the best in Europe is supported by bringing in a number of great players.
Besides Haaland, last season's Premier League champions brought in England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, Argentine striker Julian Alvarez and defender Manuel Akanji and Sergio Gomez to strengthen his squad.
However, among all the signings, Haaland stole the show.
"Hopefully, we can get it. He came here because we convinced him. We don't have a striker and he feels he can play with us," said Guardiola.
"He has adapted well, like with Julian and the other new players. I understand fully why everyone is discussing Erling, but I have six new players and I want them to be established as soon as possible."
"We're not going to win just because of Erling but he does have a special talent, and he can help us solve the problem, that's for sure. But if we don't play well, then we won't," he concluded.
In the inaugural match of Group G of the Champions League this season, City will face Sevilla. Both teams will compete at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, Wednesday, September 7, early in the morning WIB.