Pep Guardiola has made a promise about Erling Haaland ahead of the FA Cup and Champions League finals.
City wrapped up a third consecutive Premier League title with three games to spare, and if they go on to win the treble, it will largely be down to Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian striker has enjoyed a remarkable first season at the Etihad Stadium since joining from Borussia Dortmund last season, scoring 52 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions.
It was widely expected that Haaland would score goals in this City team, but few predicted that he would break the Premier League single-season goals record in his first campaign.
Given his goal-scoring form throughout the season, it’s somewhat surprising that the striker has only scored once in City’s last six matches.
Haaland thought he had brought an end to his mini-goal drought when he headed home against Brighton on Wednesday, but after a VAR review his effort was chalked off for a foul.
With the success of City’s treble bid to be decided in the next few weeks, some City fans have raised concerns about Haaland’s sudden dip in form.
Ahead of City’s tip to Brentford this weekend, Guardiola was confident his star will soon rediscover his scoring touch.
“I’m not going to doubt about the scoring machine Erling,” the City boss told reporters on Friday.
“He had the chances. Maybe he is waiting for the right moments. He will be ready in the right moment to score the goals, he is ready.
“I’m very pleased he achieves what he has achieved, all the goals and the records.
“To go to Brighton and play the way he played, fighting against two young lads, demanding a lot, finishing with the legs and body. The damage that he has.
“He could say he’s waiting for the two finals, but he’s completely the opposite. He’s ready.
“I don’t feel he feels much pressure. He handles it really well. At 22, 23. Handling the expectation. He laughs when people expect [things of him].
“[Remember] the clear chance he missed in the Community Shield? One clear chance and all the people talk about that.
“[After] just one month together, he said ‘don’t worry I will score goals’.
“The moment he doesn’t score, he’s ambitious to score. He has incredible self confidence to score goals, the biggest value as a football player.”
Following their final league game of the season against Brentford on Sunday, City will prepare for the FA Cup final against Manchester United on June 3 and the Champions League final against Inter on June 10.
