Erling Haaland responds when asked if Pep Guardiola's transfer decisions contributed to Manchester City slump after fifth loss in a row
Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland has insisted that Pep Guardiola's decisions in the transfer market are not the reason behind the club's dismal form of late. The Cityzens have endured their worst run in 18 years, with five successive defeats across competitions.
In their last five games, Manchester City have succumbed to defeats against Bournemouth, Sporting Lisbon, Brighton and Hove Albion, and Tottenham on two occasions. This is the first time Pep Guardiola has lost five games in a row in his illustrious managerial career.
Erling Haaland has also undergone an unusually dry spell of form of late, scoring just twice in the last seven Premier League games. The Norwegian was asked whether Guardiola's transfer decisions have impacted their performance on the pitch which he denied immediately.
In an interview with Telemundo (via The Mirror), the 24-year-old said, as quoted by The Mirror:
"No, we still create a lot of chances, we still score goals, so I'm not worried about anything. Of course people leave, people come in."
"It's new players to get to know and get the chemistry with, so of course things change. But I think that's just positive to get new faces in and to get other people to play football with."
Haaland also insisted that Manchester City's injury problems have been a key factor behind their recent struggles. The former Borussia Dortmund attacker added:
"Of course we've been suffering with a lot of injuries and everything, but in the end you have to, no matter who plays, you have to do your best and you have to try to do your best for the team and the club."
"That's what matters and yeah in the end we try to get through it together and when the people who are injured come back, it's okay and we do our best."
Manchester City find themselves eight points behind league leaders Liverpool after just 12 games. Erling Haaland, despite his poor form, still remains the league's top scorer with 12 goals to his name.
Erling Haaland makes big claim regarding Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has hailed Pep Guardiola as the best manager the game has ever witnessed. Following Guardiola's two-year contract extension at the Etihad, the Norway international said, as quoted by City Xtra:
"He's the best manager in the world and probably the best manager that's ever existed on Earth. I expected lots of things from him, and he's been delivering every single second. I'm super happy and you can also see that when I play as well."
The prolific striker added:
"He also wants to put perfection on it, of course, perfection doesn't exist. Also, the hungriness, how much he wants to develop players, how much to develop me, how much he wants to win football games. In the end, it's about winning trophies. That's the most important thing."
Pep Guardiola has created history during his stint at Manchester City since 2016, where he has won 18 trophies. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has been a force to reckon with since his switch to the Etihad in 2022 from Borussia Dortmund. He has contributed 105 goals and 14 assists in 115 appearances for the Cityzens so far.