Pep Guardiola has said the final decision over whether Erling Haaland will return for Manchester City this weekend will lie in the hands of the club's doctors.
Haaland is on track for a record-breaking first season in English football, having plundered a stunning 22 goals in his first 16 matches. He already has 17 in the Premier League, meaning Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s joint-record of 34 goals is firmly in his sights.
However, his one-man assault on the top flight was temporarily halted last weekend when he was ruled out of the win over Leicester City with a bruised foot. He was then left out against Sevilla in the Champions League, with Julian Alavrez deputising in both games and scoring once.
Haaland returned to training on Thursday boosting hopes that he will be available to face Fulham at the Etihad on Saturday. Guardiola has suggested that a decision has yet to be made though, with several options - including missing out altogether - still on the table.
“He is much better, we will decide today [if he’s playing],” Guardiola said. “It’s a good step to start training and now we have training this afternoon and we will see."
Asked what the decision will come down to, he added: “Himself, his opinion, the doctor’s opinion. If he’s good for 90 minutes, less than that…we will see after training.”
Alvarez, who signed in the summer along with Haaland, has been forced to play second fiddle since the start of the season, but impressed when given the chance in recent outings. Should Haaland miss out again, it would mean the Argentine would be tasked with playing a third game in a week, an issue his manager has no concerns over. “He’s so young…he’s so young and at that age you can play every day.”
Phil Foden has been another star of City’s early-season form, but has been left on the bench for the champions’ most recent pair of Premier League fixtures. Foden has six goals and three assists in the league, but Guardiola insists all of his attacking talents have to accept that rotation is a given.
“Him and Riyad [Mahrez] and [Jack] Grealish and Bernardo [Silva] and [Ilkay Gunogan and [Kevin] De Bruyne have been on the bench. Not an issue, many players have to use them, demand the best of them, this has to happen, always has been like that.
“No player plays because they play. In Dortmund we play to qualify first and De Bruyne doesn't play.”
Meanwhile, the City boss paid an emotional tribute to one of his greatest ever players after Gerard Pique announced his upcoming retirement from professional football. The Spain international played under Guardiola during a period of unprecedented success for the Blaugrana, where every club honour was brought to the Camp Nou.
“He was here in England at a young age. After that he made an incredible career in Barcelona. I wish him personally all the best for him and his family. I know his mum and dad.
“Incredible human being, huge personality. A player for the big games, never miss once or behave or performance not in the highest level. All the big clubs need these players.
“Won everything for Barcelona and Spain. The time arrives, the future will be bright, he's a smart guy. An honour to be his manager, we spent an incredible four years together.”
