Erling Haaland appears set to sit out Manchester City’s traditional battle against Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium. In recent encounters on home turf, the reigning champions have suffered two defeats and a draw against Palace. As the teams gear up for their next clash, City will be without their standout striker due to a foot injury.
Last week, Haaland was in Spain intensifying his rehabilitation efforts. Following the Palace match, he’ll join the squad in Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup. Pep Guardiola mentioned, “He arrived today and we will see. The doctors will see him and how he feels.”
“He has been in treatment away. Hopefully, he can travel to Saudi, we go there tomorrow after the game.”
“We will see if he is able to play in the first game or the second game, or when we come back.”
“I don’t think he will play [against Palace] but maybe he surprises me and they tell me something new.”
Despite missing recent victories against Luton and Red Star Belgrade, Haaland isn’t ruled out for City’s upcoming FIFA Club World Cup matches. Guardiola expressed confidence in Haaland’s long-term fitness, clarifying, “No. It’s not fractured, just stress,”
“Sometimes players recover quicker, sometimes longer. The doctors said, we have to take it day by day, week by week, how he feels.”
“The moment he doesn’t have symptoms or doesn’t feel pain, he will play again.”
Regarding Rebecca Welch becoming the first woman to referee a Premier League game, Guardiola welcomed the decision, saying, “It’s an excellent idea. More than welcome.
“Hopefully in the future, there can be more. In Germany years ago and years ago, it was in the Champions League, the Bundesliga, there was a (female) referee. Everybody being more involved is good.”
In addressing Haaland’s status during the press conference, Guardiola reiterated, “He arrived today and he will see the doctors and then we will see.”
“He has had treatment. Hopefully he can travel to Saudi, tomorrow after the game (for the Club World Cup) and we will see if he plays the first game or second (in Saudi).”
“I don’t think he will be ready to play this weekend, maybe he surprises me.”
“It’s not a fracture just a stress. Sometimes players recover quickly, longer. Day by day, week by week, how he feels.”
Erling Haaland
Erling Håland
This season he played in total 15 times for 1296 minutes for Premier League.
Erling Haaland scored 13 goals for Manchester City. He procured 4 assists. He received 1 yellow card and no red cards.
His team is currently 4th in Premier League. In the last match Manchester City drew 2-2 against Crystal Palace. The next match in Premier League will be against Brentford.
Manchester City performance and stats
Manchester City is currently 4th in the Premier League with 34 points.
In the last 17 games, it has won 10 times, drawn 4 times, and lost 3 times. In its last match, Manchester City drawn 2-2 against Crystal Palace.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 40 goals and conceding 20.
Manchester City will play the next match in Premier League against Brentford on Saturday 23rd of December in Manchester.