Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola identifies 'one reason' Erling Haaland is 'a bit down' but insists it is 'part of the process'

React to this story

Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City’s relentless schedule is the "one reason" for Erling Haaland’s decline in goalscoring this season after the striker made a rapid start to the campaign. The 25-year-old started the Premier League season with 14 goals in 11 games, but he has followed it up with seven in City's next 15. However, Guardiola has said periods like this are "part of the process".

'He wants to help all the time' - Guardiola takes pressure off Haaland goal expectations

Video credit: SNTV

Pep Guardiola has blamed Manchester City’s hectic schedule for Erling Haaland’s decline in goalscoring this season.

The 25-year-old striker scored 14 goals in City’s first 11 Premier League games this season, but has netted just seven times in their 15 matches since.

Meanwhile, in the UEFA Champions League, the Norway international scored five goals in the first half of the league phase, but just two in the second.

Transfers

Trafford on joining Leeds in £45m deal: I don't care if I have a point to prove

an hour ago

However, Guardiola’s side played nine times in January, while Wednesday’s meeting with Fulham, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, will already be their fourth game in February, and the City boss believes the relentless schedule is the cause of his No. 9’s drop in form.

"The reason why he is tired, a little bit down, it’s down to one reason – the calendar. So no more than that," Guardiola explained.

The Spaniard also said tougher spells "are part of the process" for younger players, reminding reporters that "we cannot forget he’s not 29, 30 years old".

Haaland powers in second for Man City

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Every season he lives, he’s a better player for the next one," Guardiola said. "How he knows his body better, how he knows what it means to play every day."

Haaland’s tally of 11 in 14 to begin the league season made up half of the goals scored by City players at that stage, while his five Champions League goals at the halfway mark of the league phase also accounted for 50% of City strikes in Europe.

Guardiola said people "cannot forget" the input of his striker at the start of the campaign, playing a key role in City now being second in the league and into the last 16 in the Champions League.

"Maybe he doesn’t have the numbers that he wants, but we are in the position that we are thanks to him," Guardiola said.

"For three-quarters of the season, if he didn’t score, I don’t know who’s going to score. We are in the position in the Champions League, and especially in the Premier League. Without Erling, it would not be possible."

Haaland ended a three-match drought in the league on Sunday with his match-winning penalty in stoppage-time against Liverpool, reducing City’s deficit to leaders Arsenal back to six points.

Highlights: Haaland breaks another record to lead Man City past De Bruyne’s Napoli

Video credit: TNT Sports

Guardiola was impressed with Haaland’s composure at the vital moment, as City won at Anfield in front of fans in the league for the first time since 2003.

"It’s not easy - Anfield, 91, 92 minutes, and the situation that we have, taken there and taken with this composure, his body language, in his eyes there was fire there, and it’s not easy," he said.

"That defines the good players. Hopefully, he can be lifted."

How to watch Manchester v Fulham on TNT Sports

Manchester City host Fulham on Wednesday, looking to avoid the kind of drama that unfolded when the sides met at Craven Cottage in December.

Erling Haaland's opening strike that night saw him become the quickest player to reach 100 goals in Premier League history.

Pep Guardiola's side then stormed into a 5-1 lead by the 54th minute, but it was a nerve-shredding end to the match, with Fulham clawing their deficit back to just one goal 12 minutes from time.

City clung onto the victory, though, and if they can complete the double over Marco Silva's men, they will go to within three points ahead of leaders Arsenal, who visit Brentford on Thursday.

Guardiola's side may well be confident of doing so, having won their last 16 Premier League meetings with Fulham, the longest winning run one side has had against another in English league history.

A long-awaited victory for tonight's visitors, though, could see them climb from 12th to eighth.

This match will be live on TNT Sports 4 and discovery+, with the coverage getting underway at 19:00 GMT, before kick-off at 19:30 GMT.

'Unstoppable' Haaland scores for 12th game in a row to give Man City lead

Video credit: TNT Sports

How do I watch Premier League live streams on TNT Sports? What is discovery+?

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through EE TV, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Transfers