'No Player Has Influenced Guardiola More Since Messi'

Haaland

Even Haaland himself is a little surprised by how well he has done so quickly at Etihad Stadium.

One of the key reasons for his success has been his trainer, Ivar Eggja, who works closely with his father and acts as a ‘facilitator’ for the striker – finding him a home, looking after his diet and giving him everything he needs so he only thinks about football.

By the time Haaland arrived in Manchester, he already had everything in place.

Another key is the fact he is never satisfied – always looking to improve.

Manchester City’s Italian trainer Mario Pafundi pushes him but also helps him understand his body. This has meant Haaland has so far avoided the injuries that set him back him last year at Borussia Dortmund.

He has gained around 12kg of muscle in the past 15 months as a result of privileged genetics, a regime involving the consumption of enormous quantities of quality food, coupled with hugely demanding training circuits and a relaxed life style incorporating periods of meditation which he uses to ensure his mind is in the right place.

There were questions around how Haaland would fit in to Manchester City’s style of play, whose power comes from the midfield, cutting through the lines and creating space behind the opposition defence, while the Norwegian’s strengths are in the rapid transitions.

City’s style of play when more measured can create a disconnect between Haaland up front and the rest of the team, something Guardiola is aware of and keen to avoid.

After the defeat at Manchester United in January, the City boss admitted the whole side had to get the striker more involved. Haaland was a peripheral figure having only a couple of half-chances and just 19 touches in the match.

The challenge for Guardiola is to play the type of game he wants, while still ensuring Haaland is engaged, occupied, fully focused and generally happy, even if that means occasionally putting in a pass that you wouldn’t normally consider.

The coaching staff have on occasions asked Kevin de Bruyne or Bernardo Silva to put balls through to Haaland that they would not normally play for no other reason other than to ensure he stays fully connected with proceedings.

He still feels frustrated on occasions when he does not get the service his runs are calling for, while he also knows he could be more helpful to team-mates in and around the box and off the ball.