Manchester City have a leadership group filled with five of their more experienced players to lead the side on the pitch.
With Kyle Walker as captain, the group also consists of Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias.
Now though, Pep Guardiola has highlighted another figure in his City squad who he thinks has what it takes to be a captain in his side.
Pep Guardiola backs Erling Haaland to become a future Man City captain
Speaking in a recent press conference, Guardiola had this to say about Erling Haaland when asked about his influence in the City team and how it’s grown during his time at the club.
He said: “A little bit higher. He knows the environment, the players, how we live. It’s a process which if he stays longer he’ll be one of the captains of the team, that is a normal role.
“But his impact since he’s arrived has been really good. It’s always happy and positive and incredible.”
When asked if he sees Haaland as a leader on the pitch, Guardiola said this in response.
“Yes, he has to – absolutely When you play all the games and are so active on the pitch, yeah leaders maybe don’t talk much, they are leaders. Behaving on the pitch and if there’s a big problem – intervening.
“Sometimes you need the armband to be a leader, step by step it will happen. It’s already the third season together.
“If he stays longer at the end he will be one of the most senior players in the team. It’s normal and naturally it’s going to happen.”
Haaland leads by example
City paid £51m to sign the striker from Borussia Dortmund back in the 2022 summer transfer window.
Since then, the Norwegian has made 101 appearances in all competitions prior to today’s away match against West Ham.
Across those games, Haaland has bagged 94 goals and won multiple domestic and European trophies along the way.
This shows that as a goalscorer who can fire his side to victories, the 24-year-old leads by example.
Now that Guardiola has said that the striker, who wore the armband during City’s recent pre-season tour of America, is capable of being the club captain on a more permanent basis in the future, this will undoubtedly be something for the supporters to look forward to.