I think Haaland will be even better this season - Guardiola sends warning following Messi, Ronaldo comparison

Pep Guardiola warned Manchester City’s Premier League rivals that a refreshed Erling Haaland could be even better this season after enjoying a full summer off.

While the majority of the division’s top players represented their nations over June and July, Haaland had a full seven weeks off to recuperate after a gruelling 2023/24 campaign. The early signs at the start of the new Premier League season are positive, and the Norwegian began in predictable fashion as he netted the first goal in City’s 2-0 win over Chelsea, the third year in a row the striker has scored on the opening weekend.

On his 100th appearance for the club, that was remarkably Haaland’s 91st goal, as he starts his tilt for a third consecutive Premier League Golden Boot.

“He has numbers for [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, controlled the last decade, 15 years,” was Guardiola’s post-match verdict. “In terms of numbers he’s that level, scoring in 100 games 91 goals is something in this country that is unbelievable.

“I had a feeling that he feels better than last season at this stage,” Guardiola added. “After the treble he felt tired, this season Norway not in the Euros, it was more rest. He feels good, the goal was magnificent.”

It took Haaland just 18 minutes to get the ball rolling for the champions at Stamford Bridge as he latched onto Bernardo Silva’s flick and delicately lifted the ball over Robert Sanchez, all while holding off Marc Cucurella’s attempts to get a toe to the ball.

It was the perfect response to the Chelsea defender who needlessly teased Haaland during Spain’s post-Euros celebrations, chanting that City’s no.9 was ‘trembling’ at the prospect of facing Cucurella.

“It was an interesting song from that guy,” Haaland told Norwegian outlet Viaplay after the game. “There's not that much to say.

“I don't really think about that. He can do what he wants. Last year he asked me for my jersey, and then he starts singing about me.”

Cucurella’s afternoon went from bad to worse as he was replaced in the latter stages and, after exiting at the far side of the pitch had to trudge past the City fans en route to the dugouts. The sky-blue masses left the former Brighton man in no doubt who they backed in the Haaland v Cucurella debacle. That he spurned City to join Chelsea two years ago only exacerbated the situation.

But three points was the ultimate reward on Sunday for Haaland and City, who begin the campaign undercooked and without Rodri but could have amassed six points by this time next week if they can overcome Ipswich Town in their maiden home game of the season.

Then it’s West Ham United and an international break at the start of September, by which point Guardiola said he hopes City are fully up and running. That’s a worrying thought for the rest of the Premier League, as is the prospect of a fresher, more potent Haaland.