Pep Guardiola Voices Concern Over Erling Haaland Dependence as Manchester City Move Top of the Table

Pep Guardiola has admitted he is concerned about Manchester City’s growing reliance on Erling Haaland, despite his side returning to the top of the Premier League table.

A brace from the Norwegian striker against Everton helped City leapfrog Liverpool and Arsenal, at least temporarily, in the title race on Saturday. Haaland’s double took his tally to 11 league goals this season — making him the only City player to score more than once so far.

In contrast, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes, and Rayan Cherki have each scored just once, meaning that excluding Haaland’s goals, City have managed only four goals in eight league matches.

Guardiola, despite being pleased with the victory, made it clear he is concerned about the lack of goals from other attacking players.

“He could have scored four or five in the end,” the former Barcelona manager said after the 2–0 win over Everton.

“He’s our key man — what can I say? But at the same time, we cannot rely on him alone. We want to do our own good things, not just Erling.

“Our wingers and attacking midfielders need to make a step up. The chances we create are so clear. They have to score goals. Savio had two, Jeremy [Doku] had two, Tijjani had another — you have to score at this level. If we don’t create, it’s fine. But if we create, we have to score more.”

When pressed further on the lack of goals from his attacking unit, Guardiola reiterated his belief in their abilities.

“For a long time, we’ve talked about it. They are good. I see it in training — they’re good at finishing, so they have to do it.

“And I have no doubt that once they unlock, those players will score. Omar [Marmoush] is a top scorer, Savio — at one point it will happen. Oscar [Bobb], Tijji, Phil — they’re really good at scoring goals.

“We cannot deny how good Phil is in those positions, Tijjani as well. When Rico [Lewis] plays there, he’s a guy who always arrives in the final third really well. We have to.

“We have Erling, and that’s fine, but we’ll be stronger when everyone contributes. They have to feel, ‘Okay, I have to help the team to be strong’. This is what we have to do.”

The victory over Everton moved City up to 16 points, level with Arsenal and one point clear of Liverpool.

However, Guardiola’s side could drop to fourth place by the end of Sunday if Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all win their respective fixtures.