The controversy surrounding Erling Haaland keeps making waves. At a press conference, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola came to the defense of the Norwegian striker, who had been compared to a fourth-division player by Roy Keane, the former Manchester United captain turned pundit.
For the City boss, former players who become pundits tend to quickly forget their own past and the criticism they faced throughout their careers.
“I don’t agree with him. Absolutely not. Is he a second- or third-division coach? I don’t think so. I’m surprised when it comes from former players. Memory fades fast. They failed a thousand times, a million times, and they were hurt when former players criticized them,” Guardiola said.
Haaland was criticized for his performance against Arsenal in a 0-0 draw. In that game, the striker failed to register a shot on goal and touched the ball just 23 times.
“He’s the best striker in the world and he helped us win what we won last season. The reason we didn’t create many chances against Arsenal wasn’t Haaland. We need more presence in the final third, with more players,” Guardiola added.
