Pep Guardiola has encouraged his Manchester City squad to engage in a private discussion if they sense a decline in their motivation this season.
Recently, Erling Haaland expressed concerns regarding the team’s mentality, suggesting that a perceived lack of ‘hunger’ could be impacting their performance.
During a press conference on Friday, Guardiola concurred with Haaland, stating that if the players are experiencing such feelings, they should address it collectively.
‘If Erling feels this way, the team must have a dialogue and reflect on the reasons behind it,’ Guardiola remarked. ‘We recognize our potential for improvement, and while we are pleased with our results, we must acknowledge that this issue has persisted for several months, with the current downturn being just three to four weeks old.’ As they prepare to face Southampton on Saturday, City is enjoying a five-match winning streak across all competitions.
Haaland, with an impressive tally of 30 goals this season, is set to make his return following an ankle injury that has sidelined him since late March. Guardiola stated, ‘He’s ready, he’s fit,’ but a decision on his starting status will be made tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Rodri remains injured, and although Oscar and Nathan have just begun training, they are not yet prepared to play. Kevin De Bruyne could also feature again after netting the decisive goal against Wolves.. He will leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season and has been linked to teams like Napoli and Chicago Fire. There are also rumors he might stay in England, and Guardiola said he would be happy if Kevin continued in the Premier League. ‘I want the best for Kevin and his family,’ he said.
