According to the coach of the English club, their poor run of form is a collective issue, not the fault of any single player.
Erling Haaland, who started the season in phenomenal form, has suddenly gone off track. The once-feared striker seems to have forgotten how to score, and his lackluster performances have negatively impacted Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola is clear that he doesn’t blame Haaland alone for the team’s struggles.
This season, City has managed just one win in their last 12 matches across all competitions, drawing two. Their bid to retain the Premier League title has suffered a significant setback.
After 17 matches in the league, City sits in seventh place with 27 points, having secured 8 wins and 3 draws. They are 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have played one game fewer.
Haaland’s drop in form has also played a part in City’s disappointing run. The Norwegian striker, who scored 10 goals in the first five league matches, has only managed three goals in the subsequent 12 games. Across all competitions, he has scored 18 goals this season.
City faces Everton in their next league match on Thursday. Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Guardiola emphasized that the team’s struggles are a collective issue, not down to one player.
“The whole situation (of the team’s struggles) is about us, not just one player. In the past, when we scored goals and Erling was so effective in helping us, it was because of the team. And when there are problems in defense or midfield, it’s a problem for the whole team,” Guardiola said.
“If it were just about one player, the solution would be easy. But it’s not like that. Erling has been, is, and will remain very important for us. We’re trying to do things better and utilize him more effectively.”
Guardiola also expressed concerns about injuries ahead of the Everton clash. Key players like first-choice goalkeeper Ederson and experienced defender John Stones may not recover in time, adding to the challenges. Once again, Guardiola pointed to injuries as a significant factor in the team’s sudden decline.
