Manchester City is closely monitoring Erling Haaland’s fitness, as the star striker missed the last two games due to a foot injury. Despite being treated in Marbella and returning to the team on Friday, Pep Guardiola expressed doubts about Haaland’s immediate return to play in the Club World Cup. The player will undergo a medical examination upon his return, but Guardiola remains cautious, citing his awareness of the injury and the current situation.
Having skipped the Champions League game against Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade, Haaland is likely to join the team for the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia next week. However, City plans to give the striker the autonomy to decide when he feels ready to make a comeback. Guardiola acknowledged the uncertainty, stating, “He got here today. The doctors will check him out, and we’ll see how he feels.”
While expressing optimism about Haaland’s potential participation in the Club World Cup, Guardiola acknowledged the unpredictability of recovery timelines, noting, “Players sometimes get better quickly, and sometimes it takes longer.” The decision on when Haaland will play will be based on his daily and weekly assessments, ensuring he returns only when fully fit.
Looking ahead to the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace, Guardiola acknowledged the possibility of Haaland surprising everyone by playing but remained skeptical. The manager emphasized the importance of the player’s well-being, stating, “He might surprise me and play [against Palace], but I don’t think he will. He will play as soon as he isn’t hurt.”
As City faces Crystal Palace in their Premier League title defense, they currently trail Liverpool by four points in the league standings. The uncertainty surrounding Haaland’s availability adds an additional layer of intrigue to City’s pursuit of retaining the title. Guardiola’s cautious approach reflects the team’s commitment to ensuring Haaland’s full recovery before his return to competitive action.
