Pep Guardiola says the debate over Erling Haaland is over after the striker scored twice to help Manchester City beat West Ham on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Haaland announced himself to English football with a clinical display that saw him win and convert a penalty in the first half, before confidently slotting home after a Kevin De Bruyne through-ball in the second to secure a 2-0 win.
After back-to-back title wins without a number nine, City's new striker was their matchwinner at the first attempt this season, silencing any doubts that he will need time to adapt to the Premier League.
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And Guardiola said he was impressed with Haaland's performance, saying after the game that the pre-match build-up suggesting he may struggle in the Premier League was emphatically proven wrong.
"One week ago he couldn't adapt in the Premier League, now he's the best alongside Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo," Guardiola said.
"He came for five years, he needs time and what we want from Julian [Alvarez] and Kalvin [Phillips] is to be happy. Feel good in the city, with the team. Push him a little bit more. He's an incredible talent and scores. We'd like to add more to his game, to be a better player. Not just scoring goals which is so important. We want him to be a better player."
Haaland was substituted on two goals, and expressed his frustration at missing out on a hat-trick to broadcasters after passing up a chance before being withdrawn, but Guardiola was unsympathetic to the striker - even if he applauded the sentiment.
"I don't care," Guardiola said. "I want to win the game and Julian deserves to play. I want everyone involved. Here it's a business, business is to score, goals help to win the game. I don't know how many goals he'll score to help win the Premier League but being there, being consistent like we were the last four, five years.
"It's okay, what I want is to be part of something. I'm so happy for him, two goals, the debate is over. I know he'll score goals, he was born and started to score. He did it Salzburg and Dortmund and hopefully he can do it here.
"I don't have to criticise him because he didn't criticise me, I like it. I was fortunate as a manager to be with Messi when he scored two he wanted three or four or five. The top scorers are never satisfied, they want more. At the same time we have to involve new players, Julian, there are a lot of games. With Cole [Palmer] we have 18 (players in the first-team squad), without Cole Palmer we have 17 players in the first team. The smallest squad in the Premier League. [Kyle] Walker can't play all the games, Joao [Cancelo] too, all the players. Fresh legs and onto the next one."
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