22 February 2023 , 13:55
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has quashed any talk that Erling Haaland makes his side more predictable to play against, despite what Thierry Henry may think.
The Arsenal icon, who spent two years under Guardiola at Barcelona, suggested that Haaland must add more to his game to help his team-mates, regardless of the fact the Norwegian has netted 32 goals across all competitions so far this term and is arguably the most in-form player in Europe when it comes to goal-scoring.
However, that alone is not enough in the eyes of Henry, who recently told CBS Sports: "We've seen in big games they can't find him. If you think the other way, in big games, try to help them. We all know, when you play a big team, you have to win your own battle first.
"It's not that easy, and we've seen that this year he's struggled in this type of game. Maybe, if he does think of that, how can I help them, sometimes in some situations, not always them finding me on the second post."
With that in mind, Guardiola addressed these comments during his pe-match media duties ahead of the first-leg of City's Champions League round-of-16 clash away at Red Bull Leipzig.
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"I would say that I understand exactly what Titi [Henry] wants to say the fact we play and we put the balls to Haaland," the Man City boss added.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has defended striker Erling HaalandHAVE YOUR SAY! Does Haaland make City's style of play more predictable? Comment below
"Being less predictable does not depend on Haaland it depends on the way we can make the process to arrive in different channels to the final third, not just with Erling.
"To be less predictable we need more runs from Kevin [De Bruyne], more runs from [Ilkay] Gundogan, more runs from the wingers, we need more runs when we arrive in the final third but to arrive in the final third we need the process."
Guardiola went on to double down, insisting that he has no fears over the rate at which his team put the ball in the net with Haaland leading the line.
"Come on, we scored 60 goals, we are the team that scored more goals in the Premier League. Always we can do good things and with Erling as well," he added.
It remains to be seen if Henry is entirely convinced by Haaland, but the Frenchman has previously claimed the Norwegian is 'perfect' for City's system.
Henry once left fellow pundits Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards speechless when analysing Haaland and how he fits into City's set-up.
Thierry Henry has called on Erling Haaland to do more to help his team-mates (Sky Sports)When asked if City's talisman would be enjoying similar success to Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona, the ex-Arsenal ace replied: "I don't know, it's a different ball game.
"Like I always say, you need to cast the right actor for the right movie. What Haaland is doing, that's the perfect actor for that team. Sometimes you play in another team - I wouldn't have played for Bolton, are you mad?!"
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Neither Carragher nor Richards really knew what to say from that point, but when it comes to Haaland fitting in at City it seems Guardiola has already said it all.