KEY POINTS

  • Man City were held at a 1-1 draw by Everton last week
  • City's next game is against Chelsea in the league
  • Haaland has so far netted 27 goals for City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has given a piece of special advice to Erling Haaland ahead of their Premier League meeting with Chelsea.

Guardiola wants Haaland to play with the same "passion" as he did in Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Everton in the Premier League last week.

Haaland was involved in a gutsy battle with Everton center-back Ben Godfrey throughout the New Year's Eve contest. Godfrey quite evidently got under Haaland's skin as the Norwegian forward was seen whipping up the crowd after winning a free kick. Haaland, who converted the free kick into his 21st Premier League goal of the 2022-23 season, went on to celebrate in front of the Toffees defender.

In a pre-match conference ahead of City's league outing against Chelsea, Guardiola was asked if he would ask his 22-year-old forward to show better self-control against the Blues. To which, Guardiola replied, "I like it, the extra limit. Not just him, everyone. His behaviors, you always have to use [points to his head]. But play with this passion. That is necessary. I prefer that than to be flat."

"Strikers have to handle tough, tough central defenders. It's necessary. Tomorrow he'll have a battle with Koulibaly and Thiago Silva. Always it's a big challenge and that's why the Premier League is so special," he added.

While City have won three out of their last five league games, Chelsea have managed to secure just one win off their last five matches and are well behind the top four. The Stamford Bridge side is currently placed 10th in the league table with 25 points, 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland (C) celebrates scoring against Southampton
AFP

Haaland, who moved from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City in the summer of 2022, is having a breakthrough maiden campaign in England. The Norway national has netted an incredible 27 goals and three assists in 21 matches across all competitions for Guardiola's side.

Meanwhile, Guardiola also expects Chelsea to be "tough" test despite the latter struggling in the underway season. The Spanish head coach also admitted that his side cannot afford any more errors if they want to close in the gap with the table-toppers Arsenal, who are eight points clear at the top.

"[It will be a] tough game, tough side, well managed, Stamford Bridge, what can you say, always difficult, looking forward to this week, the different competitions and the next three games," Guardiola said.

Soccer