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Erling Haaland MISSES Man City to Leicester trip due to a ‘knock’… as Brendan Rodgers jokes that he ‘slid through the kitchen’ now that his side no longer needs to meet the ‘great’ striker
- Erling Haaland dropped out due to unwellness against Borussia Dortmund
- He didn’t recover in time to play in Man City’s match against Leicester
- Pep Guardiola has added Julian Alvarez to his starting squad to replace Haaland . to replace
- Brendan Rodgers joked he’s celebrating missing Haaland
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Erling Haaland has missed Manchester City’s match selection for their match against Leicester at King Power Stadium.
The Norwegian striker has been in stunning form this season, scoring 17 goals in 11 league appearances, but has been ruled out after suffering a blow during Tuesday’s Champions League clash with City’s Borussia Dortmund.
Pep Guardiola had admitted in his pre-match press conference before lunch that Haaland was doubtful due to the minor injury and fever, and the 22-year-old has been unable to recover in time.
Erling Haaland has not been named in Manchester City’s match roster for their match against Leicester
Pep Guardiola has revealed the striker will not play as he struggles with a ‘knock’
Explaining Haaland’s absence to BT Sport before kick-off, Guardiola said: “He recovered from the fever, from his fatigue, but not from the knocking.”
In response to the news, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers admitted he was delighted his side did not have to face the free-scoring attacker.
Asked if he was happy that Haaland missed him, Rodgers told BT Sport: “Of course. I have holes in my knees sliding around the kitchen!
“He’s a great player. For us in the Premier League it’s great to see a world-class talent, but they still have top players to come in.”
Prior to the arrival of Haaland, City played most of their games with a ‘false nine’ last season. Former City defender Joleon Lescott expected the defending champions to return to this system, with Julian Alvarez taking the lead.
Brendan Rodgers joked that he’s not playing Haaland ‘knee-sliding through his kitchen’ now
“I think they will go back to their old style, the variation of the crosses will change,” Lescott told BT Sport.
Fellow pundit Rio Ferdinand agreed, supporting City to cope without the Premier League’s top scorer.
“He (Alvarez) has the ability to play that false nine and go deep, but his biggest threat is through the middle.
“This team is so fluid that the individual doesn’t have that much influence on the team. Players come and come in and it works like clockwork,” added Ferdinand.
Alvarez found his playing time limited this season due to the presence of Haaland on the team, but Joe Cole labeled Saturday’s game as a ‘big game’ for the Argentine to prove he should play more if Haaland returns.
“I think it will be one by one. Alvarez will try to get in and occupy some more. It’s a big game for Alvarez,” Cole said.