Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has backed Erling Haaland to end his goal drought after the misfiring forward extended his barren run to a staggering 88-minutes.
The Norwegian hasn’t found the net since scoring a brace in City’s league win over Brighton on 22nd October, but his manager is confident the striker will rediscover his goalscoring form after a disappointing start to the season.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 12: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City gives his team instructions during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester City v FC Schalke 04 at Etihad Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
‘I am convinced he will come good’, Guardiola told Paddy Power News.
‘Erling is still adapting to our style of play and once that happens, then the double-hattricks will come naturally. I’m sure of it’.
The Spaniard rubbished claims the 22-year-old has been a waste of money despite scoring a paltry 22 goals in 16 games since arriving at the Etihad from Dortmund this summer.
‘Yes, I’ve heard the crowd chants, like ‘You’re just a Norwegian Andy Carroll’ but I’ve told Erling to ignore them’.
‘He’s young and there will be spells when he’s only averaging 1 goal per game this season, but I have every faith that he’ll develop into decent player for this club’.
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‘If he keeps his head down and does the right things on and off the pitch, maybe one day he’ll be spoken about in the same breath as the likes of Lee Bradbury or Bernardo Corradi’.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has confirmed the club are trying to lure former West Ham skipper Mark Noble out of retirement after Riyad Mahrez missed the 25th penalty of his reign against Dortmund last night.
‘I admire Mahrez’s bravery for continually stepping forward to miss penalties for us, but Mark Noble is our No1 January transfer target’.
‘Yes, we’ll have to listen to him waffle on about why Brexit was a great idea and how Trump was robbed by voter fraud but at least Noble can score from the spot’, the 51-year-old told Paddy Power News.
*Paddy Power’s breaking news coverage is just complete nonsense, every word of it. Honest.
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