Prior to Tuesday’s key Champions League match against RB Leipzig, Erling Haaland’s wide grin as his Manchester City teammates surrounded him offered Pep Guardiola new hope that his prized striker is still content at the team.
The 22-year-ecstatic old’s response to his winner was a pleasant sight for Guardiola amid rumors that Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are planning outrageous bids for Haaland in the the close season.
Haaland celebrated by sliding joyfully across the rainy Selhurst Park field after scoring a late penalty to give City a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Since transferring from Borussia Dortmund in May, Haaland has tallied 28 goals in the Premier League and 34 goals overall.
He is still on track to surpass the mark of 34 goals scored by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer for Blackburn and Newcastle, respectively, in the Premier League in a single season.
Prior to his goal against Palace, Haaland did waste a clear opportunity, and in a February 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, his mistake cost City the league title.
The Champions League may present City’s best chance of a memorable season’s finish, as they trail Arsenal in the EPL title race by five points.
To progress to the quarterfinals of the Eufa champions league title, they must defeat Leipzig, who earned a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the last 16 in Germany.
Guardiola maintained that there is no reason to question Haaland’s dedication to the City cause and that he will need to be at his most predatory.
“This guy doesn’t score one or two goals and the people go, oh he’s not the same! He is always there so the numbers speak for itself. ;
“The way he celebrates his goals and his mates’ goals shows how happy he is here and how we are with him and his personality,” Guardiola stated.
“One of the biggest attributes I’ve discovered knowing him and working together is the fact that he can miss one chance, second, he’s not getting depressed, he’s not sad.”
“He’s thinking positive, he knows he will have the chance, he knows he will be there. And this is an incredible attribute as a football player.” He added.