Pep Guardiola wants his prized asset to play where he does the most damage | OneFootball

Erling Haaland put in one of his best all-around performances of the season last weekend as Manchester City beat Newcastle 2-1 at the Etihad. Haaland didn’t score, but his play up front in linking Manchester City’s play and his work defensively when required were absolutely brilliant. Haaland also grabbed an assist as he set up Nico O’Reilly’s second goal of last weekend’s match with a superb right-footed cross. Pep Guardiola acknowledged last weekend that Haaland was superb in his team’s victory, but he wants his star striker doing his best work in the final third to maximize his impact.

Pep Guardiola wants his star striker to do his best work in the final third.

Speaking yesterday, ahead of Manchester City’s important Premier League fixture against Leeds United, Pep Guardiola explained that he wants to see Erling Haaland doing his best work in City’s opponents penalty area. That way, Manchester City can get maximum value out of the world’s best striker. Pep Guardiola explained yesterday: “Always I say to try and make Erling as close to the box to score goals. There’s no more tactics than that, and the team to help him score goals, it depends on the team.”

“It’s really important [that he helps in the build up] but we have to try and use him as little as possible even with man marking.”

“We have to make an alternative to long balls with Erling when he’s up against a player like [Newcastle’s Dan] Burn, otherwise every three days doing that for a striker like Erling, it’s not sustainable. We have to make an alternative so we still have a dream for him to play and play more, and with man marking that’s difficult.”

Erling Haaland’s overall game has evolved but his at his most dangerous when he can do what he does best.

As mentioned above, Erling Haaland played one of his best matches of the season against Newcastle last weekend. Haaland relished the physical battle against Newcastle United centre-back Dan Burn, and Haaland did whatever his team needed for them to pick up a massive three points. Come the final whistle at the Etihad last Saturday, Haaland fell to the turf exhausted. He gave everything for his team’s cause in a special display. But that type of performance isn’t sustainable for Haaland, and he is at his most devastating when he is wreaking havoc in the final third.

As Pep Guardiola explained, Manchester City are at their devastating best when Erling Haaland is putting away chances. That is Haaland’s specialty. While his performance last weekend was what his team required from their star striker, City will want Erling Haaland back banging in the goals. If he can do that, he could fire Manchester City to glory this season. Haaland will always do what is required for his team. He is a leader and a selfless individual. But as Pep Guardiola explained, Haaland needs to do his damage in the final third.

Pep Guardiola has explained where he wants to see his star striker wreaking havoc. That is in the final third. Hopefully today against Leeds United at Elland Road, Erling Haaland can be just as influential as he was last weekend and get himself on the scoresheet. His manager wants this from his star, and if City get that today it could be crucial to Manchester City picking up three points.