Pep Guardiola has defended Erling Haaland, commending the striker for taking responsibility amid Manchester City’s struggles.
Following their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, Haaland was critical of his own performance, admitting he hasn’t done enough to support the team.
Haaland’s self-assessment comes during a rare goal drought, having netted just once in his last six Premier League matches.
However, Guardiola disagrees with Haaland’s critique, emphasizing the Norwegian’s importance to the team.
“Without him, we’d be in an even worse position,” Guardiola stated. “I appreciate players who take responsibility, but I don’t agree with Erling’s comments. He needs the right service in the right areas, and we’ll work on providing that.”
Guardiola’s remarks underline Haaland’s significance to Manchester City’s success. Despite recent struggles, Haaland has been a key contributor with 18 goals this season.
His willingness to own his performances reflects the leadership qualities Guardiola values in his players.
As City aims to bounce back from their slump, Guardiola will rely on Haaland to return to form. With better support and service, Haaland is well-positioned to rediscover his scoring touch and drive the team forward.
