Pep Guardiola slams Arsenal icon Thierry Henry’s claim that Erling Haaland makes Man City predictable with blunt putdown
PEP GUARDIOLA has dismissed Thierry Henry’s claim that Manchester City are too predictable with Erling Haaland.
The Arsenal legend spoke about Haaland ahead of City’s visit to RB Leipzig.
He suggested that the striker has not been effective in some of City’s biggest games this season, having failed to find the net against Manchester United and Tottenham in recent weeks.
But Henry also claims Haaland’s presence in the team makes City too predictable, which Guardiola denied.
The Spaniard pointed to City’s excellent goalscoring record and suggested it is the responsibility of Haaland’s team-mates to make the team less predictable.
Guardiola said: “I would say that I understand exactly what Titi [Henry] wants to say, the fact we play and we put the balls to Haaland.
“Being less predictable does not depend on Haaland it depends on the way we can make the process to arrive in different channels to the final third, not just with Erling.
“But if you arrive here, here and fire the crosses or just pass to Erling that will be predictable.
“To be less predictable we need more runs from Kevin [De Bruyne], more runs from [Ilkay] Gundogan, more runs from the wingers, we need more runs when we arrive in the final third but to arrive in the final third we need the process.
“For the other ones the way we play in Europe and the Premier League, we play really good. We have these type of players that make our game not predictable.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
“Come on, we scored 60 goals, we are the team that scored more goals in the Premier League. Always we can do good things and with Erling as well.”
Henry called on Haaland to make adjustments to the way he plays so he can help out City in big games where he sees less of the ball.
The Norweigan was isolated against the likes of United and Spurs and Henry believes he needs to add variety to his movement.
He told CBS Sport: “We’ve seen in big games they can’t find him [Haaland]. If you think the other way, in big games, try to help them.
“We all know, when you play a big team, you have to win your own battle first.
“It’s not that easy, and we’ve seen that this year he’s struggled in this type of game.
“Maybe, if he does think of that, how can I help them, sometimes in some situations, not always them finding me on the second post.”