Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola has decided to bench Erling Haaland for the Premier League match against Wolves, following his goal drought of eight matches since the season opener. Despite having scored 20 goals in the first 22 league games, the last time Haaland scored was from the penalty spot against Brighton in early January, and he hasn’t netted in a friendly since December.
‘Tired’ Haaland misses match against Wolves
Haaland hasn’t been absent from the City squad since November 25, when he began the game on the bench against Bayer Leverkusen. The last full match he missed was on October 29 against Swansea in the Carabao Cup. Guardiola acknowledged last week that Haaland was “tired” after the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle. The prolific striker failed to impress during City’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United and squandered chances in their unexpected 3-1 defeat to Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League. Consequently, Guardiola chose to rest his leading scorer for the clash against the bottom-placed Wolves.
Guardiola on Haaland
Guardiola commented on his decision to sit Haaland, saying: “We have a busy schedule. I want to give his mind and body a little break, and this choice reflects my belief that it’s for the best today.”
Haaland, reflecting on his struggles and the team’s poor performance following the loss, stated: “I have no answers. I take full responsibility for not scoring when I should have. I want to apologize to the Man City fans and those who traveled. It’s genuinely embarrassing.” He acknowledged Bodø’s strong performance and admitted, “I don’t know what to say; it’s disappointing.”
Guehi’s debut
Marc Guehi, City’s recent acquisition from Crystal Palace for £20 million, made his debut against Wolves. He is set to pair with Abdukkodir Kusanov, offering much-needed experience and leadership to a defense weakened by injuries to John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, and Ruben Dias.
Guehi expressed his excitement about joining Guardiola’s side, stating: “This transfer represents the result of my hard work. I’m thrilled to be at the best club in England and to join such an extraordinary team. I look forward to developing as a player and a person at this club.” He added, “Football has been a significant part of my life, and I am eager to continue my growth at Manchester City. I can’t wait to train, connect with my teammates, understand the manager’s expectations, and showcase my skills to the City fans.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the challenges even top players face, reminding us of the importance of mental and physical well-being in sports. Additionally, Guehi’s debut could be pivotal for City’s defense and overall performance as they navigate through a tough period.
