Pep Guardiola says he is in no doubt Erling Haaland has the quality and desire to only get even better in the wake of his record-breaking exploits so far this season with City.
Having joined the Club from Borussia Dortmund last summer, the Norwegian striker has already shattered a host of records in what has proved an astounding debut campaign at the Etihad.
Haaland set a new Premier League record of 35 goals in a season as he took his tally for the campaign in all competitions to 51 against West Ham on Wednesday.
Victory took City back one point ahead of Arsenal at the top of the table, with a game in hand to come.
Guardiola’s team face Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals later this month and Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3.
Along with his 51 goals to date, Halaand has also provided seven assists, the sixth highest number in the Premier League, to further illustrate his quite remarkable impact
However, looking to next season and beyond, City boss Guardiola is adamant there is even more to come from the 22-year-old with Pep warning that Haaland is armed with a burning desire to lift his game to even greater heights. And he says Erling has also relished the physical aspect of life in the Premier League.
“Of course,” Guardiola asserted when asked if he felt Haaland could improve looking to his second season at the Etihad.
“Always I said many times with Erling the future will be tough because you compare what he’s done.
“If he doesn’t score the goals like he’s scoring the people will say he’s in a bad situation but he can still improve. A lot.
“We spoke about that, in the movement and the game itself he can improve. I think he has that.
“I have the feeling he has a desire to get better as a football player. He can do it.
“And we’ll be happy, because going to war knowing you can do better, to do something better is the way. That’s good.
City had won back-to-back league titles largely without a focal point up front prior to Haaland’s arrival.
But suggestions he would struggle to fit into Guardiola’s system have long since been forgotten.
“I am enjoying it every single game,” Haaland said of life under the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.
“It’s hard, he demands a lot, but I try to do my best to develop and do my best on the pitch. That’s what you have to do – nothing more to do than do your best.
“It’s a pleasure and I love to play under Pep. I’m really happy to have him as a coach.”
Haaland’s goal record could have been even greater had Guardiola not taken the opportunity to often rest the 22-year-old once games are won throughout the course of the season.
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