The injury woes surrounding Erling Haaland are casting a shadow of concern over Manchester City fans, especially with the FIFA Club World Cup looming on the horizon. The participation of the Norwegian sensation in the tournament remains uncertain due to an ongoing foot injury. Manager Pep Guardiola recently provided an update that didn’t exactly instill confidence.
About Erling Haaland’s Foot Injury
Haaland first encountered the foot injury in November, and it resurfaced in the lead-up to their match against Luton Town. Initial hopes were set for his return by Thursday, as stated by Guardiola in a previous interview. However, that anticipated deadline has come and gone, leaving even the seasoned 52-year-old manager unsure about the situation.
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Guardiola addressed Haaland’s injury predicament ahead of the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace. He remarked, “He arrives today, and we’ll see. The doctors will assess him and gauge how he feels.” Shedding light on the nature of the injury, Guardiola reassured, “I’m not worried. Not fractured. Just stress.”
🚨🔵 Guardiola on Haaland: “I’m not worried. Not fractured, just stress”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 15, 2023
“Hopefully Erling can travel to Saudi. Tomorrow, after the game we see if he plays the first game or second at the World Cup”. pic.twitter.com/M2KTgddcaz
In discussing Haaland’s potential comeback, Guardiola expressed, “Hopefully Erling can travel to Saudi. Tomorrow, after the game, we will see if he plays the first game or second at the World Cup.” This statement emphasizes Guardiola’s uncertainty about the 23-year-old’s involvement in the tournament.
The manager finds himself in a quandary regarding the extent of the injury and the timeline for Haaland’s recovery. With the Club World Cup semi-final slated for December 19th, time is of the essence for Haaland and The Sky Blues. His potential return assumes added significance as Manchester City grapples with another setback—Kevin De Bruyne’s injury.
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In contrast to Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne has been sidelined since August due to a hamstring injury. After undergoing surgery in November, Guardiola shared a positive development last week, revealing that the Belgian midfielder has commenced field training. Despite the encouraging signs, caution prevails, with the unlikely prospect of his participation in the imminent Club World Cup.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to assert that the absence of both Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne could pose significant challenges for Manchester City in the upcoming Club World Cup.