Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has expressed his optimism about the improved fitness and form of striker Erling Haaland during this summer’s pre-season training.

Despite being a prolific scorer in the previous season with an impressive 52 goals in 53 matches, Haaland struggled with injuries during the pre-season last year, raising concerns among fans and the coaching staff.

However, this time around, Guardiola confidently stated that Haaland is stronger compared to the same period last season, providing a positive outlook for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. The Norwegian striker demonstrated his abilities in the first friendly match of the summer, netting a brace against Yokohama F Marinos and earning praise from his coach.

With the Premier League title defense ahead, Guardiola’s words serve as a warning to rivals that Haaland is ready to deliver more spectacular performances on the field.

After a sensational first season with Manchester City, where he notched up an astonishing 52 goals in all competitions, Erling Haaland faced injury setbacks during last year’s pre-season.

Despite his impressive goal-scoring prowess during official matches, concerns were raised about his fitness and ability to maintain his peak performance levels throughout the season. However, this year, the 23-year-old striker has shown significant improvement in terms of fitness and form, prompting Guardiola to express his optimism for the upcoming campaign.

Following a summer break, Haaland rejoined the team for pre-season training, and Guardiola couldn’t be more pleased with the player’s progress.

After witnessing the Norwegian’s standout performance in a friendly match against Yokohama F Marinos, where Haaland scored two goals to help secure a 5-3 victory, Guardiola emphasized the striker’s increased strength and readiness. The coach’s praise for Haaland’s dedication and progress serves as a motivating factor for both the player and the team ahead of the new season.

During his debut season at Manchester City, Erling Haaland made an indelible mark on the footballing world. He shattered records, notching up 36 goals in the Premier League alone, surpassing the previous record held jointly by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.

In the Champions League, Haaland emerged as the top scorer with an impressive tally of 12 goals, including a historic five-goal haul against RB Leipzig in the 1/8 round.

Guardiola’s faith in Haaland’s improved form and fitness comes as no surprise, given the coach’s attention to player development and training. Guardiola has always emphasized the importance of players being in peak physical condition to perform at their best, and Haaland’s progress aligns perfectly with this philosophy.

In addition to his positive remarks about Haaland, Guardiola also provided an update on Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury. The Belgian midfielder sustained a hamstring injury during the Champions League final against Inter, and his absence was felt during the subsequent national team gathering.

However, Guardiola shared that De Bruyne is recovering well and could potentially feature in the upcoming friendly matches against Bayern Munich and Atletico.