In Manchester City’s last-gasp 2-1 win against Fulham, Erling Haaland was rushed back from an ankle injury in the 64th minute.
After the Norwegian marksman’s initial strike was disallowed, he still managed to emerge as the difference maker on the night, converting from the spot-kick to settle the contest in the dying embers of the game.
While the Etihad faithful were understandably over the moon about the 22-year old’s winner, they were also buzzing about the fact that he showed no signs of rustiness against Marco Silva’s side.
After Haaland was brought off at half-time in City’s 0-0 game against Borussia Dortmund due to suffering a knock, he was deemed unfit to play against the likes of Leicester City and Sevilla.
As Manchester City square up against Chelsea in their upcoming Carabao Cup clash on Wednesday night, many expect the prolific striker to start proceedings once again.
However, Pep Guardiola has confirmed in his latest press conference that Erling Haaland has still not fully recovered from his ankle injury.
“He is still not perfect”, he was quoted as saying by Joe Bray of Manchester Evening News.
Guardiola continued, “He is getting better. It’s important the bone is not broken, it’s not damaged, just ligament damage a little. It’s not perfect right now. In one week or 10 days, anything can happen.”
“If he feels good, playing for the national team [in the friendlies against Ireland and Finland next week] is important for the players. I never avoid the players when they are going to play for the national team.”
It would not come as a surprise if Julian Alvarez started ahead of Erling Haaland against Chelsea in what would likely be a precautionary measure by Pep Guardiola and the medical staff at the club.
With Haaland being the side’s go-to man this term, potentially losing him out for a lengthy spell due to injury could be catastrophic for City.
