Pep Guardiola has revealed that he is carefully managing Erling Haaland’s playing time during Manchester City’s pre-season tour in the United States, ahead of their Premier League title defense.
The Norwegian striker is one of the more senior players present on the tour, with key figures like Rodri, Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Phil Foden being given time off to recover from their participation in Euro 2024.
Haaland has made an impact in the pre-season friendlies, scoring in matches against Celtic and Milan. However, he has been substituted at half-time in the last two summer outings, the most recent being a 2-2 draw against Barcelona.
Despite his appearances, Guardiola disclosed that Haaland is not fully fit as the new season approaches, which includes the Community Shield clash against Manchester United on August 10.
Guardiola commented on Haaland’s condition, stating, “Erling is not comfortable. We don’t want to take risks. But sooner or later he has to take a step with training and minutes. The season is there, around the corner. He has niggles, muscular, we don’t want to take a risk and lose him for three weeks or a month. That would be a problem.” This cautious approach is due to Haaland’s history of injuries, particularly towards the end of 2023, which has made his fitness a priority for the team’s management.
In the draw against Barcelona, Haaland was taken off at half-time, with Nico O’Reilly and Jack Grealish scoring for City. Barcelona equalized through Pau Victor and Pablo Torre, and eventually won the penalty shootout 4-1. Guardiola explained Haaland’s early substitution by saying, “He didn’t feel good and that’s why he didn’t play the second half.”
Guardiola also highlighted the challenges of pre-season with many of his squad still on holiday. “Sixty-seventy per cent of the squad are on holiday. That’s why we need the players. At the same time, we have alternatives, Oscar [Bobb] makes an incredible job again. We’re pleased with many things.” This situation has necessitated the involvement of younger and less experienced players, who have been given the chance to prove themselves.
The strategic management of Haaland’s game time reflects a broader plan to ensure key players are fully fit and ready for the demanding season ahead. Guardiola’s approach underscores the importance of balancing player fitness with the need for match practice.
This is especially crucial for a team like Manchester City, which is expected to compete on multiple fronts, including domestic leagues and European competitions.
Haaland’s pre-season has shown glimpses of his goal-scoring prowess, which City will heavily rely on. However, the priority remains his long-term fitness, as losing him to an extended injury could severely impact their campaign.
Guardiola’s cautious strategy aims to avoid such scenarios, ensuring Haaland is in peak condition for the crucial early fixtures.
City’s next pre-season match is against Premier League rivals Chelsea, a game that will serve as their final preparation before the competitive season kicks off.
This match will likely see Guardiola continue his careful management of player minutes, balancing the need for match fitness with the imperative to avoid injuries. The game against Chelsea will provide another opportunity for the team to gel and for the coaching staff to assess the readiness of the squad.
