Pep Guardiola claims that Erling Haaland is incomparable and even better than the statistics show. The striker has made a stunning start at Manchester City, scoring 17 goals in 11 games since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund, and his hat-trick against Manchester United on Sunday was his third in consecutive Premier League home games.
The 22-year-old averages a goal every 54 minutes, has 42 shots and has three assists, including two in the 6-3 loss to United. On Wednesday, he will be hoping to add to his 26 Champions League goals from 21 games as City host FC Copenhagen.
“At his age, nobody can match him,” Guardiola said. “The numbers speak for themselves and inside, in the dressing room and on the field, we see things that are not in the statistics, which makes us feel happy that he is here.”
Haaland wasn’t the only City player to shine on Sunday, with Phil Foden, also 22, bagging a hat-trick. Despite the high standards that have been set, Guardiola believes there is more to come from both.
The manager said: “Phil is an outstanding player. He has grown up a lot and has been with us for many years now. He is reliable in terms of his physical condition and is so intense and smart about everything. He can play every three days. But they both know they can do better and hopefully they can.”
One player who is yet to shine this season is Riyad Mahrez, who was one of the stars of last season’s title win and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Algerian international has started four times and has not scored.
Guardiola said: “I know Riyadh very well, how important it is [he is]. We need him to get back to his best – his best in terms of personality, ability, quality, his love for this game and how he enjoys playing. Step by step he will return. Now he doesn’t play much, but he needs to get back in better physical condition and then the rest will come. As a player, I can’t teach him anything; he is too good.
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City lead Group G by three points after winning their first two games against Sevilla and Dortmund. Right-back Kyle Walker looks set to miss out after being forced off against United, while midfielder Rhodri’s calf problem will be assessed.
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