Erling Haaland and Phil Foden have carried a heavy workload for Manchester City this season. Both players have barely had an opportunity to rest in the past few months. Pep Guardiola started Haaland and Foden on the bench for Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad yesterday. Although both players came off the bench in the second half of yesterday’s match, they got an opportunity to rest, which may prove to be invaluable at this stage of the season.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden finally had the chance to rest.
It has been clear throughout Manchester City’s recent matches that Phil Foden and Erling Haaland have needed a rest. Their performances have been labored as injuries and international duty have hit Pep Guardiola’s squad. Both players haven’t had the opportunity to rest that they need. Haaland and Foden have been well below their best, and their team has suffered. Yesterday, with Omar Marmoush starting and Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders starting in midfield, Haaland and Foden began yesterday’s match on the bench.
Although the pair both came off the bench in the second half of yesterday’s match you do sense that the rest they did get should do them the world of good. With Manchester City facing a crucial Champions League fixture against Galatasaray next, Haaland and Foden will likely both start that match at the Etihad. The hope is that the rest they had yesterday sees them enter that match in better shape and form then they have been recently.
Manchester City need Erling Haaland and Phil Foden firing to prosper.
Speaking after his team’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers yesterday, Pep Guardiola acknowledged that his team needs Erling Haaland and Phil Foden at their best if they are to be successful this season. Guardiola acknowledged Antoine Semenyo’s contribution yesterday, but he was quick to remind everyone of the importance of Haaland and Foden. Speaking on Haaland and Foden, Guardiola said: “*We cannot do what we want to try to do this season and in the future of this club without Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. They’ve played a lot.*”
“*Antoine Semenyo came with a lot of energy and numbers; strikers are a question of numbers, and since he arrived has been unbelievable. He made a good goal; it looks easy but the control is perfect, passing the ball in the net. He made another chance, had another.*”
“*People up front are a question of numbers, but we need desperately the best from Erling and Phil.*”
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden had the opportunity to get a semblance of rest yesterday. They both started on the bench for Manchester City’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Foden and Haaland are vital to Manchester City’s chances of winning silverware this season, so the hope is that the rest they got yesterday can kick both players back into gear.