3 days ago
10
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland spoke with Pep Guardiola after the Fulham match before both went off for media duties
For the first time in his Manchester City career, Erling Haaland stopped in the mixed zone on Tuesday to speak to reporters. The striker must be well on his way to four figures for the number of interviews he has had to do with rights-holders after matches given he has been the headline act so often, but his 100th Premier League goal warranted one more.
He spoke well about the team, in a similar way to Phil Foden after Leeds. In essence City have to play better than they did if they want to push Arsenal for the Premier League title, but equally they know that the season is long and they really aren't far from top spot to say they know there is considerable room for improvement and growth.
Pep Guardiola had said similar in his press conference, talking about the lack of experience for so many of his players in terms of playing for City and playing in the Premier League. This isn't the same team that stormed to 100 points and 98 points seven and eight years ago, so they have to write their own script.
It was a moment before Guardiola and Haaland went to speak to journalists that piqued interest though, the pair sharing a quick chat before they both went their separate ways. It took Haaland a few seconds to decide what he wanted to share from the conversation, but what he said was revealing.
"He said that because we had a chat yesterday after training that I need to do everything I can to stay sharp, to stay fit. That's what I've been doing," he said.
"He knows I take care of my body. I need to be ready every single game because I need to do my job, I need to be focused and I need to get my body in shape. Now I need to go and get some treatments." And with that, he was off to the massage table.
Haaland won't have needed telling to look after himself better. As he has shown to millions on his new YouTube channel, he goes to extreme lengths to look after his body. He has recently taken in a new supply of blue-light glasses to help his sleep and recovery and feels in the best shape of his life.
Equally, Guardiola won't have needed to say it because it is so obvious. If the player who is scoring all of your goals stays fit for the whole season, you have a better chance of scoring goals and winning matches.
The fact that it was said says a lot about where City are at the minute then, reinforcing what plenty have been saying about the 'Erling Haaland team'. With other parts of the side in transition, an awful lot of their hopes this season depend on making sure the Norwegian striking sensation avoids injury - enough for the message to be reiterated by those at the centre of it even now.
English (US) ·