Why one Manchester City star stands out among world-class players for Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola sung his praises for Erling Haaland ahead of Wednesday evening’s UEFA Champions League group-stage clash against Borussia Dortmund.

Haaland is in the form of his life and after leading Manchester City to another win at the weekend with a fine brace against Bournemouth, the Norway international is set to lead the line when his former club Dortmund visit the Etihad Stadium.

The 25-year-old has scored 17 times in all competitions for Manchester City this season as Guardiola and co look to forego last season’s troubles and challenge on all fronts this term after recruiting heavily in the summer.

Guardiola appointed Haaland to the leadership group in the summer, three years on from when the Leeds-born striker joined Manchester City from Dortmund. Since 2022, Haaland has been nothing short of a revelation in the Premier League.

City won the treble and their premier UEFA Champions League title in Haaland’s first season at the Etihad Stadium – wherein the Norwegian scored 53 times in all competitions for the club he supported as a child.

The Scandinavian star has established himself as arguably the best finisher in world football at Manchester City, penning a long-term deal at the Etihad Stadium in January that will keep him at the club till 2034.

Guardiola is witnessing greatness in front of him every week and the Catalan was asked about Haaland’s qualities off the pitch that catapulted him into the Manchester City manager’s thinking for the leadership group.

“It’s difficult to find a real world-class player who starts to be incredibly humble and thinking what is the best for the team,” Guardiola said on Haaland.

“I know he wants to score, I know his impact, his goals help – but I have the feeling he always has an eye on what is best for the team.

“And when that happens, it’s difficult to find world-class players who have this type of ability, talent, generosity, kindness. Erling (Haaland) is like that.

“It was a surprise, normally a striker is just thinking goals, goals, goals. Of course he has to score, it’s the best way to help, that is obvious.

“But that’s why I decided because that guy signed a contract for 10 years, so as much as he’s involved in many things it will be better for him and the club!”

Haaland is posting scary goalscoring numbers every week as he continues his onslaught against defences left, right and centre – unfazed by the turbulence around him as Manchester City undergo a period of transition on the pitch.