Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on October 28 (BUS) that the Manchester City striker is “feeling better” after suffering a knock in his last game, and he will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Leicester City. .
Reuters reported that Haaland, who has scored 22 goals in 16 games in all competitions for City this season, was replaced by midfielder Bernardo Silva in the second half of their goalless draw with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.
“He is feeling better but we will train this afternoon and evaluate in a few hours,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
We’ll see how he feels and then we’ll decide.
Guardiola said City striker Julian Alvarez would be the first choice to replace Haaland if the Norwegian was not fit for Saturday’s match.
Unlike the impressive Haaland, Alvarez has scored only two goals in the league this season but Guardiola has not been interested in numbers given the Argentine’s limited playing time.
“Play 90 minutes in every game and he will score goals, maybe not like Erling, but he will score goals,” Guardiola said. “I don’t judge.
“I know how many minutes he plays and how hard it is when you’re not used to playing regularly… From day one, we liked a lot of things about him.”
Goalkeeper Ederson will return to the squad for Saturday’s game after resting, while Guardiola said England duo Kyle Walker (shoulder) and Calvin Phillips (groin) are “improving” as they seek to recover ahead of the World Cup.
“They are positive and optimistic. They are in contact with (England coach) Gareth (Southgate). I don’t know, I hope they are ready for selection (for the World Cup),” Guardiola said. Southgate is expected to name his team on Thursday,
“He (Phillips) feels really good, his mobility in his shoulder is perfect. He has to avoid contact with his teammates at the moment. If he’s fit and I think he can play, maybe he can take a few minutes (before the World Cup).”
City is second in the league with 26 points from 11 games, two points behind leaders Arsenal, while Leicester is 17th with 11 points from 12 games.
M