Pep Guardiola has singled out Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis for praise after Manchester City’s win over Leeds on Wednesday night.
City eased to a 3-1 win at Elland Road in their first league game since the end of the World Cup, with Erling Haaland bagging a second-half brace after Rodri had opened the scoring just before the break.
Jack Grealish set up two goals in Man City’s win over Leeds (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
While Haaland’s two goals broke another Premier League record and rightly grabbed the headlines, Guardiola was keen to highlight the performances of two different players.
Grealish had a mixed game, missing three big chances in the first-half before setting up both of Haaland’s strikes in the second.
The England international has received much criticism for his lack of goals and assists since joining the Citizens in a record-breaking transfer but his manager was more than satisfied with his work against Leeds, though was disappointed that he wasn’t able to find the back of the net.
‘Grealish gave two brilliant assists. When we can rest the ball with Jack and Riyad [Mahrez], it gives us the right tempo,’ the City boss told Amazon Prime.
‘But of course, we have to score goals. When the chances are there, it’s important. It’s a mental question.
Rico Lewis started his first Premier League game on Wednesday (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
‘We know from training sessions that he has the ability to put the ball in the net. Of course he’s not a striker, but he has the quality to do it.
‘He just has to say “I’m going to score” – there’s no negativity in his mind. When that happens, he is going to score goals.
‘He has to be more ambitious, he has to score more goals and be competitive.’
Guardiola also highlighted the role of 18-year-old right-back Lewis who was surprisingly named in the starting XI despite both Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo being available.
It was Lewis’ first Premier League start and he was hugely impressive with Leeds only scoring and looking threatening after he was subbed off in the 68th minute.
Guardiola added: ‘Without Rico, what we do would be impossible. Defensively, he is so smart, understands the game and is so clever.
‘That’s why he helps us to do our dynamics so much better. He has played really, really well. He’s an absolute reality for us.
‘Again, against Chelsea and Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, and today in Elland Road, wow. Played really, really well.’
Haaland can get better, he is not at his best, says Guardiola
[1/2] Soccer Football – Premier League – Leeds United v Manchester City – Elland Road, Leeds, Britain – December 28, 2022 Manchester City’s Erling Braut Haaland celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
LEEDS, England, Dec 28 (Reuters) – Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland is not at his best and can get even better despite the Norwegian becoming the fastest player to reach 20 goals in Premier League history during his side’s 3-1 win at Leeds United.
Haaland continued his incredible goalscoring form with two second-half strikes at Elland Road on Wednesday to reach 20 goals from just 14 appearances — seven games faster than the next quickest player to reach such a goal tally.
The Norway international has scored 26 times in 20 appearances under Guardiola in all competitions — the quickest that any player has reached 25 goals under the City boss with top-flight clubs.
“He missed chances, hopefully he can do better,” Guardiola said. “But the numbers are exceptional, he is an incredible threat for us and always in the right position at the right time.
“I have the feeling he is not at his best. It is a matter of time. Of course we are delighted but that little pace he had at the beginning of the season, now he maybe struggles a little bit, but it’s a question of time.
“I am still more than satisfied but I had the feeling in the first part of the season he was sharper.”
Haaland had plenty of time to ponder his next move as Norway did not take part in the World Cup in Qatar, a time period that the 22-year-old insisted helped intensify his hunger for more.
“I’ve been at home, a bit mad that I’ve not been at the World Cup,” he told Amazon. “I recharged my batteries.
“Watching other people score to win games at the World Cup triggered, motivated and irritated me. I’m more hungry and more ready than ever.”
Haaland’s efforts at Elland Road would have been particularly sweet given he was born in Leeds – his father Alfie played for the Yorkshire club – and he used to be coached by Leeds manager Jesse Marsch at RB Salzburg.
Despite seeing his former striker leave Leeds just two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, Marsch had only good words to say about Haaland on another record-breaking night.
“I am just really happy for him,” Marsch said. “In some ways watching him score is painful, I want him in a different kit.
“But when you know some of these young men, and you see their qualities as people, you want them to do their best, just not against your team.
“But my gosh I am happy for him, he is such a great person.”
Source: metro.co.uk; reuters.com
