Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s English coach, today, Friday, doubted the readiness of his Norwegian striker, Erling Haaland, to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Citizens top scorer is likely to miss the match against Crystal Palace in the English Premier League tomorrow, Saturday.
City’s top scorer, who scored 19 goals this season, missed the last match in which his team won over Luton Town 2-1 last Sunday, and his team’s victory over Serbian Red Star 3-2 last Wednesday, in the Champions League.
Haaland suffers from a foot injury that he suffered during the 0-1 loss to Aston Villa in the 15th round of the league.
Guardiola said that his condition will be evaluated by doctors before making a decision about the possibility of calling him up.
European champions City are scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia after Saturday’s match, as they seek to add the Club World Cup title to last season’s treble, after also winning the league and cup titles.
In the semi-finals next Tuesday, the Spanish coach’s team will face Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan, the Asian champions, who defeated Leon of Mexico, the CONCACAF champions, with a clean goal today. The final match will be held next Friday.
Guardiola said that Haaland “received treatment outside the club. We hope that he will be able to travel to Saudi Arabia and we will see if he is able to play in the first or second match, or when we return. I do not think he will play (against Palace), but perhaps he will surprise me.”
He explained, “The injury is not a fracture, but just stress. Sometimes players recover quickly, and some of them need a longer period. Day after day, week after week, we will see how he feels, and the moment he no longer feels pain, he will play.”
