Guardiola Urges Manchester City‘s Forwards to Broaden Their Goal-Scoring Roles
After Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League, head coach Pep Guardiola has urged his attacking players to take on a greater share of the goal-scoring duties instead of relying predominantly on Erling Haaland.
Although Haaland was the decisive factor by scoring both goals in the match, Guardiola stressed the necessity for other offensive players to seize scoring opportunities and contribute more consistently.
Insights from Guardiola
Speaking to the club’s official media following the game, Guardiola voiced his concerns about the number of chances his team failed to convert, emphasizing the importance of a collective finishing effort.
“Erling had the chance to score four or five goals today. He remains the centerpiece of our attack,” Guardiola noted.
He added, “However, it’s not sustainable to depend solely on him. Our wingers, attacking midfielders, and other forwards need to raise their level and make a more decisive impact.”
The manager pointed out several clear-cut opportunities that went begging, highlighting the pressing need for his squad to sharpen their clinical edge in front of goal.
“We crafted some very clear chances. Savinho had a couple, Jeremy had two, and Tijjani also found himself in promising positions. These are the moments when they must convert,” he explained.
“It’s understandable if chances are scarce, but when they do arise, finishing them is crucial. The players understand this fully,” Guardiola emphasized.
Despite the recent struggles with efficiency in front of goal, Guardiola remains hopeful about his team’s offensive capabilities, pointing to their strong performances during training sessions.
“I’m confident that once the goals start flowing, they will come in abundance. Omar, Savio, Oscar, Tijjani, and Phil all possess the ability to score from their roles. With Erling spearheading the attack, we’re already formidable, but our goal is to be even more potent. That’s the level I expect from this squad,” he concluded.