A common theme at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola’s regime is how certain players improve season after season; one that will seemingly continue as long as the Catalan remains at the club.
For instance, Mateo Kovacic has been excellent as a defensive midfielder this campaign but in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium and even in the past, the number six role would not have particularly suited his game.
The Manchester City technician can still not be considered a world-class holding midfielder.
However, in his first few games in a deeper role this season, Kovacic seems to have learned how to adapt and play in an unfamilar position.
Such improvements can also be associated with players who initially struggled to thrive under Pep Guardiola.
Richards named the Man City ace whose all-round game has “improved”
The likes of Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez were all top-class players when they signed for the Premier League champions.
But in all of their second seasons, they seemingly started to gauge the inner workings of Guardiola’s philosophy and it reflected in their respective displays.
Erling Haaland is a player who does not have much more improvements to add to his game as he is already one of, if not the standout player in world football.
However, like any player, the £375.000-a-week man is far from flawless.
On CBS Sports, Micah Richards claimed that Haaland’s all-round game has improved this season.
Thierry Henry asked: “Can he drop though and get the ball?”
Micah Richards replied: “Well, it’s not his game.”
Henry asked again: “Do you think he can drop and get the ball and make things happen? Do you?”
Richards said: “Not as well as we would like to see him, no but I do believe his all-round game this season has improved from last season.”
Henry replied: “Totally.”
Superstars like Erling Haaland have to try and improve at all times
A superstar like Haaland in the footballing world, much like legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has to always look to improve as a player.
Teams across world football will be conjuring ways how to tame the 24-year-old, especially in the Premier League.
With the quality of managers and teams across Europe, such clubs will find a way to keep Haaland quiet.
However, as has been evident this campaign, with the star striker’s ever-improving link-up play, he is becoming an even bigger challenge for defences to curb.
The more Haaland improves year after year, the tougher it will become for any team in the game to stop him from causing mayhem.
