Guardiola reveals Haaland admiration as Manchester City continue strong start

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he has encouraged Erling Haaland to “press like an animal” this season as the club look to win their fifth Premier League title in a row.

City dismantled Ipswich at the weekend, winning 4-1 with Haaland netting his first hat-trick of the campaign.

There was a hush around the Etihad when the Tractor Boys initially took the lead, but Guardiola’s side battled back quickly and then asserted their dominance in the match.

Haaland is already on four goals for the season, having netted against Chelsea on the opening weekend.

He has been the league’s top scorer since joining the club in 2022 and will be keen to eclipse his tally of 27 from 2023-24.

When asked what he discussed with the Norwegian over the summer, Guardiola said: “When you are connected defensively, you are connected offensively.

“His body language – imagine a central defender has the ball and he makes a sprint with this body and legs moving. It’s scary.

“The people in the middle and back [can] support him. And we are more effective in our high pressing”.

Haaland reached 7 Premier League hat-tricks in record-breaking time ⚡️🔵 pic.twitter.com/zttDIGu1nT

— LiveScore (@livescore) August 26, 2024

“This is not negotiable. If you don’t score a goal, it’s fine. But you need to do it.”

Guardiola’s side have been the benchmark for years now, with only Liverpool able to deny them the title on one occasion.

But with 24-year-old Haaland fit and firing, it now requires an almost perfect season to keep pace with the champions.

Guardiola added: “He feels good.

“Last season always he had problems in the hips, in the ankles, in the knee.

“This season of course he takes care of himself with the physios really well, but I had the feeling that he is sharper.

“After training sessions he stays longer to practise the crosses and controls. Last season it never happened because he was not perfect.

“With his body, he has to be perfect to perform at that level.

“That’s why you have an incredible organisation to help the players to be as comfortable to perform at their best.”