Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has issued a warning to Premier League teams ahead of the 2023/24 season
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that star striker Erling Haaland is fitter this season than at the same period last season as he hopes to kick on from an incredible first campaign in English football.
Haaland looking better than last season according to Guardiola
Haaland scored 52 goals in all competitions in the 2022/23 campaign as Manchester City completed the treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League, and Guardiola believes the Norwegian is on his way to repeating his efficiency in front of goal in the coming season.
Guardiola was speaking after Haaland scored a brace in Manchester City’s 5-3 friendly win over Yokohama Marinos in Japan.
He said, “Comparing to last season, in that period, he is fitter,’ Guardiola said. ‘I know we would love for this to be like last season.”
Guardiola looking to get the best out of Haaland again
The Spanish gaffer also noted that the striker still had some conditioning to take care of, but was confident that they could get the best out of him once again in the 2023/24 season.
Guardiola said, “He looks good, but he is still a way from the best condition, like everyone. What’s important is [getting] the rhythm and the principles. We know exactly what he has to do, we know him, and in a few weeks, we will be better condition than now.”
Haaland’s superb first season with Manchester City has seen him become one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or award, alongside Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi.
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