Tribal Football

Pep Guardiola Urges Team to 'Step Up' Amid Reliance on Erling Haaland

Pep Guardiola Urges Team to 'Step Up' Amid Reliance on Erling Haaland
Pep Guardiola Urges Team to 'Step Up' Amid Reliance on Erling HaalandAction Plus

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has expressed concern over his side’s heavy reliance on Erling Haaland.

The 25-year-old scored two more goals as Man City swept Everton aside at the Etihad on Saturday (October 18) to go top of the Premier League table.

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Haaland has now scored nine of City’s league goals so far this season, with a total tally of 15 goals in his 13 games across all competitions.

No other Man City player has scored more than ONE league goal from their opening eight games, and Guardiola has expressed his desire for them to ‘step up.’

Speaking to reporters after the game, he said: "He could have scored four or five at the end. He's our key man.

"At the same time, we cannot do good things with just Erling. Our wingers, attacking midfielders and the other players have to make a step up.

"The chances we create are so clear. They have to score goals. Savinho had two (chances), Jeremy had two, Tijjani had another one and they have to score at that level.

"We have to score more. if we don't create it's fine but when we create we have to score.

"They know it. We talk about it for a long time. In the training sessions they are good at finishing so they have to do it.

"I don't have doubts that when it is unlocked players will score. Omar is a top scorer, Savio, Oscar, Tijji and Phil are so good at scoring goals in those positions.

"When Rico plays in those positions he always arrives in the final third really good. We have to. We have Erling so it's fine but we will be stronger. I want our team to be strong and this is what they have to do."