Enzo Maresca acknowledges that Manchester City can’t depend solely on Erling Haaland for goals.
Haaland has had a blistering start to the 2026-27 season, scoring 13 goals in just 12 appearances for the team.
While he has surpassed his expected goals tally of 9.1, no other player on the City roster has managed to score more than six times, with Rayan Cherki leading after hitting that mark.
Maresca’s squad is currently on a two-match losing streak in the Premier League, having been defeated 2-1 by Aston Villa—where Haaland scored—and also lost to Brighton.
Next up for them is a Champions League match against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Haaland has an impressive record against Leipzig, scoring 12 times in eight games, with his six goals in the Champions League tied for the most against any opponent, matching his tally against Sevilla. Notably, five of those goals came in a dominant 7-0 victory in March 2023.
Despite Haaland’s prowess, Maresca emphasizes the need for other forwards to contribute as well.
“Creating chances in every match is essential,” Maresca stated. “Having Erling on the field is definitely beneficial since he consistently finds the net. However, we can’t depend on him for every match; we need the entire team to chip in. I believe the last game against Brighton is the only one this season where we did not score.”
“But when Erling plays, it’s certainly a positive for us.”
MD-1 https://t.co/sfy8ttsZAC
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 3, 2026
Phil Foden ranks third on City’s scoring list for the season with four goals, even though he has only started eight out of the 11 matches he has played.
“I see Phil improving every day, without a doubt,” Maresca remarked about Foden. “I’ve mentioned multiple times that he will contribute significantly this season.”
“With so many competitions ahead and 20 high-caliber senior players, competition is beneficial. Phil and Rayan play in similar roles, and I’m pleased with how Phil performs daily.”
Foden scored a hat-trick against AEK Athens in City’s last Champions League match and is eager to build on what he considers a strong start to his season.
“I think it’s been going well for me,” he said. “Of course, I had that unfortunate red card against [Manchester] United that slowed me down, but I feel rejuvenated and sharp. I’ve been involved in many goals lately, so I’m really satisfied with my performances.”
Throughout their history in European competition, City and Leipzig have faced off six times in the Champions League, with Leipzig managing to win only once (D1 L4).
Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the importance of teamwork beyond individual brilliance, a key element that defines great clubs. For fans, seeing other players step up can enhance the excitement and unpredictability of each match, promising a more competitive and thrilling season ahead.
Source: www.soccernews.com
