Pep Guardiola affirms Erling Haaland’s comeback to Manchester City, stating that the challenges faced at Barcelona are significantly more demanding.

Pep Guardiola has given an update on the fitness of Erling Haaland, confirming that the striker is ready to make his return for Manchester City in their upcoming Premier League clash against Burnley. Haaland has been sidelined since December 6 due to a foot injury, missing a total of 10 games in all competitions. However, he has recently resumed training and is now available for selection.

Speaking about Haaland’s return, Guardiola stated, “First time he is back. We have all the squad, we are stronger. He is an important player for us.” The Norwegian forward has been in sensational form this season, scoring 19 goals in 22 games across all competitions for City. His comeback will undoubtedly provide a significant boost for the team, especially considering the recent return of Kevin De Bruyne from injury.

Guardiola also provided an update on the overall fitness of the squad, revealing that almost all players are fit and available for selection. He mentioned the return of Manu (Manuel Akanji) and John Stones, both of whom have been training well and are free from injury concerns. This news will be encouraging for City as they look to close the five-point gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand.

In addition to discussing City’s squad fitness, Guardiola was asked about his former club Barcelona, who will be searching for a new head coach at the end of the season following Xavi’s decision to step down. Guardiola acknowledged the immense pressure that comes with managing Barcelona, stating, “We cannot compare the pressure we have in England to Spain, in my experience. It’s a thousand times tougher there. Six press conferences a week, a lot of games. The pressure you feel in Barcelona is not comparable anywhere else.”

Xavi’s departure from Barcelona comes shortly after Jurgen Klopp announced he would be leaving Liverpool in the summer. However, Guardiola made it clear that he is not currently considering leaving City, expressing his satisfaction with the support he receives from the club and the positive environment he is in. While he acknowledged that his time at City will eventually come to an end, he emphasized that he is solely focused on the present.

For fans wanting to watch Manchester City’s clash against Burnley, the game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 3. Coverage will begin at 19:00 on Wednesday, January 31, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30. TNT Sports is available on various TV platforms, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. To find local establishments showing TNT Sports, fans can use the Pub Finder tool.