1 day ago
5
Pep Guardiola has admitted he is concerned about the number of free-scoring Manchester City players in his squad despite the team moving to the top of the Premier League table.
An Erling Haaland brace against Everton saw City, at least temporarily, leapfrog Liverpool and Arsenal in the title race on Saturday. That was the Norwegian’s 11th goal in the league already this season, but he is the only City player to net multiple times.
Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes, and Rayan Cherki have all scored one each, meaning that when Haaland’s goals are removed, City have scored just four times in eight league matches this term.
Clearly, Guardiola is concerned about City’s overreliance on Haaland even after the team claimed top spot in the table.
“He could have scored four or five in the end,” the ex-Barcelona coach said after the 2-0 win over Everton.
“He's our key man, what can I say? At the same time, we cannot rely on. We want to do our own good things, not just Erling.
“Our wingers and attacking midfielders need to make a step up and the chances we create are so clear. They have to score goals.
“Savio had two, Jeremy [Doku] had two, Tijjani had another; you have to score in that level. We have to score more. If we don’t create, it’s fine. But if we create we have to score more.”
Pushed on the need for his attacking players to contribute more goals, Guardiola added: “For a long time we talk about it. They are good. I saw in training they're good with finishing, so they have to do it.
“And I have no doubt, when they unlock, those players will score. Omar [Marmoush] is a top scorer, Savio in one moment it will happen, Oscar [Bobb] as well, Tijji and Phil, they're really good at scoring goals. We cannot deny how good Phil is in those positions, Tijjani as well.
“When Rico [Lewis] plays that position, he's a guy who always arrives in the final third really, really good. We have to.
“We have Erling, it's fine, but we'll be stronger. They have to feel, 'okay, I have to help the team to be strong'. This is what we have to do.”
The Everton victory moved City up to 16 points, level with Arsenal and one clear of champions Liverpool.
However, should both win in this weekend’s remaining fixtures, along with Tottenham Hotspur, City could sit in fourth place by the end of Sunday.
English (US) ·