Guardiola Says Haaland Can Improve By Watching Harry Kane

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said striker Erling Haaland can improve by watching and learning from his Tottenham Hotspur counterpart Harry Kane, ahead of their mammoth Premier League clash on Sunday, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.

Haaland took his tally in the Premier League to 25 goals in 19 appearances as he scored a hat-trick in Manchester City’s 3-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. But Guardiola said the Norwegian international can develop his all-round game by studying players like Kane.

“With Erling, one of the attributes that surprised me the most is how he is aware he can improve in many departments,” Guardiola said.

“And I’m pretty sure maybe watching Harry Kane, but not necessarily Harry, other players too, he has the will to think, ‘I can do better.’ With his age, this is the best thing he can believe. Otherwise, it would be boring.”

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Kane, who has 16 league goals, scored the winner in Tottenham’s 1-0 win at Fulham two weeks ago to draw level with the late Jimmy Greaves on 266 goals for the club.

“Harry Kane remains one of the best strikers I have ever seen in my life,” Guardiola added. “What an exceptional player – the numbers and, more than the goals, the quality.

“That they didn’t win a title (does not mean) he is not a good player. I think he proved that.”

Manchester City came from two goals down to beat Spurs 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium last month. They are second in the league standings with 45 points, five behind leaders Arsenal, who lost 1-0 away at Everton to keep the title race open.

Tottenham Hotspur are fifth on the Premier League with 36 points and would be seeking an upset to keep their hopes for a top 4 finish alive.