Haaland has ‘a lot of margin to improve’, says Guardiola
A brace on his league debut has got the Norwegian off the mark, but there is more Erling Haaland can do at Manchester City, says his boss.
Erling Haaland has “a lot of margin to improve” with Manchester City, according to Pep Guardiola.
The Norway international made the move from Borussia Dortmund to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the new season, as a flagship signing for both the club and the Premier League.
Despite drawing a blank in the Community Shield loss to Liverpool, the Leeds-born star responded with a brace on his league debut for the club last weekend against West Ham.
For Guardiola, however, Haaland still has plenty of scope to get better at City, suggesting he must work more to find the ball and bring himself into the thick of the action.
Guardiola: Haaland can still improve
“In the process to score a goal, I do not like the striker just waiting for balls to come,” he said ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Bournemouth.
“If he wants to drop, he can do it. Erling has a lot of margin to improve. I would not make out he is done. He can be a better player and [he] has the will to do it.
“He likes to play football. I [have] never seen a player, [except] maybe [Lionel] Messi, who is a finished article. Always, you can improve.
“We will try to make him a better player, all our players have a lot of margin to be better. That is the reason why we are here, to try to help them.”
Title rivalry
Guardiola also touched on the title rivalry his side have shared with Liverpool over the past few seasons, framing their relationship as something that pushes City forward to new heights with each year.
“We were able to create this rivalry,” he added. “The biggest opponent we face is Liverpool [and] it is an honour. Sport like this, individual [or] collective, you need someone to [make] you better.”