Pep Guardiola isn't panicking about goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland's form ahead of the FA Cup and Champions League finals.
The Norwegian striker has proved a revelation in his first season in England, with his 36 goals breaking the Premier League record for most in a single campaign. And his tally overall is a staggering 52, with his feats pivotal to City standing on the brink of an historic treble.
And the prolific form of the 22-year-old has been recognised by him becoming the first player to win the Premier League Player and Young Player of the Year awards in the same season. That achievement was capped on Friday when he was also handed the Football Writers' Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year award, although ironically, the honours have come amid a barren run by his incredible standards.
Haaland has scored just once in his last six games, and endured a frustrating night against Brighton on Thursday. Despite setting up Phil Foden for the opening goal, the forward unusually botched two clear chances, and then had a late winner ruled out by VAR.
He has three games to add to his tally, with City going to Brentford for their final Premier League game, before an FA Cup final clash with Man United on June 3 - and then a date with destiny in the Champions League final against Inter Milan seven days later. And addressing the media before the trip to London, Guardiola referenced a conversation he had with the star after he underwhelmed in their Community Shield loss to Liverpool in August.
"I'm not going to doubt about the scoring machine from Erling," Guardiola said. "He had the chances. Maybe is waiting for the right moments. He will be ready in the right moment to score goals. He's ready."
And the Spanish boss dispelled suggestions that the dry-up in goals represented a loss of form. He even praised for Haaland for refusing to drop his intensity levels despite the two pivotal final clashes coming up.
"I'm very pleased he achieves what he achieves with the goals and records, to [then] go to Brighton and play the way he played," he said. "Fighting against two young lads, demanding a lot, finishing with the legs and body. The damage that he has. He could say he's waiting to the two finals. It's completely opposite. He's ready."
Whether Haaland is risked at the Vitality Stadium remains to be seen, with Guardiola tipped to rest his key man in favour of Julian Alvarez. But if he does get on the field, a single goal involvement will give him another record, with the Norwegian currently tied on 44 for the season with Thierry Henry.
