Pep Guardiola knows that Erling Haaland is always going to be seen as either Manchester City's biggest solution or problem.
Haaland scored another three goals on Sunday to take him to 31 for the season and help the team to another three Premier League points as they try to chase down Arsenal. The Norwegian's fourth hat-trick of the season was his most commanding performance in recent weeks and came after more chatter over whether he had improved the team.
Guardiola has been honest about the changes that are needed for the team to play with Haaland, and the player himself will do well to stay clear of injuries or a drop in form over the course of a whole season. The City manager knows how their performances will be judged, but is happy with how the No.9 has reacted.
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"When we lost the Community Shield vs Liverpool, all the debate before West Ham was he wouldn't adapt to the Premier League. He scored I don't know how many hat-tricks and he's the solution for everything," said Guardiola. "When he doesn't score he's the problem.
"He is not a guy who is going to take the ball 10 metres behind the box, dribble two or three and score a goal. It's not a possibility.
"He has to get the balls being delivered as much as possible, we have fantastic players around him. But the first goal is because he is there and the ball from Kevin is fantastic.
"Always I believe, we know each other, he lives 24 hours for his job, his passion, his love. He does not stress much when it is going well or bad.
"He's stable. He feels the defeats. It's really good. The numbers are incredible. I didn't know it but this many goals in the first game of the second leg [second half of the season] he's already scored. But the reality is still we are behind a bit longer to Arsenal."
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