‘Not the Ballon d’Or’: Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Haaland’s hold up play debate

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has come out to defend star striker, Erling Haaland over his performances for the past three grames.

Despite having 30 goals to his name this season, Haaland has received criticism for his all round performance.

The 23-year-old hold up play has been questioned by football pundits with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane labelling it “League Two” standard.

Guardiola has now come out to defend his star forward, noting that Haaland needs to improve but not because he wants to win the Ballon d’Or.

“He needs to play more minutes, to learn from what you have to do,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference before Saturday’s Premier League clash against Luton.

“But the target is not the Ballon d’Or, the target is to win trophies and he did. Would we have won five trophies last year without him? Not a chance.

“It’s not about Erling or any other player. Until you retire, you can be better.”