Pep the handyman. This season, the Spanish technician had to release his toolbox several times. Indeed, his team is not spared by physical seeds of all kinds. Last September, he had to think about the best way to replace his key player, Rodri, after his serious injury. A major project for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. We have also seen that it was very difficult, if not impossible to do without the Iberian midfielder, that it counts on the players at his disposal as on the winter transfer window. At the beginning of April, the Mancunian coach faces a new puzzle. Indeed, he will have to compose without his star attacker Erling Haaland.
Who to replace Haaland?
Touched in the left ankle against Bournemouth last weekend, the Norwegian will miss several weeks of competition, to the chagrin of his coach. “The doctors told me that he would be absent between five and seven weeks. So we hope he will be ready for the Club World Cup. (…) With all the injuries we have had this season, I'm really sorry for them and for Erling too. I therefore wish him a good recovery and that he returns as quickly as possible ”he confessed yesterday at a press conference. Very quickly, it was a question of the best way to replace the player with 30 goals and 4 assists in 33 appearances in all competitions this season.
“We will try to find solutions, it is irreplaceable, but we must adapt”admitted Guardiola. And precisely, he already has some ideas behind his head to compensate for the absence of his offensive star, which could come back for the final sprint or at the latest for the FIFA club World Cup this summer. THE Manchester Evening News Cites the name of Omar Marmoush, who arrived at the Winter transfer window from the Eintracht Frankfurt. “Omar likes to play near the surface. He likes to score, to have a sense of goal. And he has it, yes. I know the players who have a sense of goal more than the others. Everyone knows that his players have a sense of goal more than other players. And you have to try to bring them near the surface ”said Guardiola yesterday.
Guardiola has several solutions
But the Men explains that he did not wish to reveal if it is an option he plans to replace Haaland. He also has three other players in his group whom he imagines being able to take over for a few weeks according to the English media. “Yes, Marmoush can play there. Phil (Foden) can play it. Macca (James McATEE) can play it, Oscar Bobb can play it ”said Guardiola. A coach who will expect a lot of these 4 players. And he is not the only one. THE Men Wait for other players to take power in the absence of the cyborg. “Marmoush is more an attacker who needs players closer to him, as his goal against Bournemouth has shown. Haaland likes to have the ball in front of him or center from the outside. ”
The English media continues: “Marmoush will need players like Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Savinho to adapt to his game, but that also represents an opportunity. Foden underperform this season compared to last year when he was the player of the year. He will not only have to adapt to Marmoush, but also score more goals and finish the 2024/25 season on a good note. The same goes for De Bruyne, who has shown his age, but who can lead City to the Top 4 without depending on Haaland. Doku – which is sorely lacking in decisive passes for Haaland in two seasons together (two out of 58 shared appearances) – can increase its production with another type of attacker with whom to work. Haaland's injury could cost City dear in a season when injuries are constantly raining. She could also prove a January recruit and help three underperforming players save their season. ” Pep Guardiola pray so that his players manage to fill the void left by Haaland. It will start this evening against Leicester.
