Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland can improve as a player by watching Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane and other top players.
On Sunday afternoon, two of the Premier League’s best strikers will square off for the second time this season at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and fans are expecting a masterclass in both finishing and striker instinct.
Last time out, Haaland and his Manchester City teammates took all three points, with Pep Guardiola and his team coming from behind at halftime to defeat Antonio Conte’s men 4-2.
That night, the Norwegian striker added to his tally of 31 goals and three assists in 27 matches for Manchester City in all competitions.
But the former Borussia Dortmund man is not satisfied, and his relentless desire to constantly improve in all aspects of his game has taken Pep Guardiola by surprise, with the City manager also believing that watching his striking counterpart at Spurs can teach him a lot.
“I think one of the attributes that Erling (Haaland) has that surprised me the most is the fact, the feeling, that he knows he can improve in many, many things,” Pep Guardiola admitted.
“I’m fairly certain in watching Harry Kane, but not necessarily just Harry, and other players” (he can improve). He has the desire to do better.”
“At his age, this is the best he can believe. Otherwise, it will be tedious. We can always improve until we die. It is everything in our lives. Never, ever give up. Never give up on what we are capable of.”
England international Jack Grealish, who has been a mainstay in Pep Guardiola’s line-ups since the return of club football, is one player who is certainly going from strength to strength following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup.
However, Grealish has only scored two goals in all competitions this season, and Pep Guardiola has been asked whether he is surprised by the former Aston Villa captain’s goalscoring output.
“He’s a regular starter because he’s really good,” Guardiola explained. “I rotate the team a lot, but I also see how they perform in every game, and you have to try to continue, and Jack is playing really well.”
“His contributions in assists were clear in two or three games, against Leeds and Chelsea, he’s scoring goals and is close to scoring more,” Guardiola continued. Continue doing so.”
The £100 million forward, along with attacking teammate Erling Haaland, will be confident of keeping his place in Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
Fellow forward Phil Foden has only recently returned to full first-team training after suffering a foot injury against Manchester United last month, but he is expected to play some part at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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