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13 hours ago
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Erling Haaland might be blaming himself for some of Manchester City's problems, but that's not something Pep Guardiola is prepared to do.
The reigning Premier League champions are enduring the worst form ever experienced by a team managed by Guardiola. They have lost nine of their past 12 games in all competitions, sit 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool in the standings, and are facing a tough battle to progress to the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League.
Haaland's own performances have come under scrutiny during this run. The Norway international is second in the golden boot race for 2024/25, but 10 of his 13 league goals this season came in City's opening five matches. A return three goals and one assist in 12 top-flight games since then is, by his lofty standards, a serious dip.
Haaland himself stated "I haven't been good enough" after the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on December 21, but Guardiola insists it would be easy to solve City's form crisis if it were simply down to one star player underperforming.
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"It's about [all of] us, not just one player," Guardiola told the media ahead of City's Boxing Day game against Everton.
"When in the past we scored goals and Erling was so prolific, helping us, it was because of the team. When you have problems at the back, in the middle, it is for everyone, it is a team, it is not about one player.
"It would be easy if it was just one person, the reason why. It's not about that. Erling is so important for us, will be so important for us, has been. [We have to] try to do things better, to use him better."
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