Manchester City fans know that Erling Haaland cannot play every single game, as much as they would want him to.
The Norwegian sensation fired a hat-trick on Saturday during the 4-1 win over Ipswich Town, and has already opened up a commanding lead in the race for the Golden Boot.
Haaland put on a finishing masterclass against the Tractor Boys, and the 24-year-old really looks like he means business, after resting up over the summer.
He was not involved at Euro 2024 like a lot of his teammates, and Haaland being able to rest up has clearly served him well.
Pep Guardiola was quizzed about Haaland after his amazing performance yesterday.
The sensation is now the only out-and-out striker at the Etihad, and Pep was asked who could cover for him now following the recent sale of Julian Alvarez.
Pep Guardiola says he has three players in mind to cover any Erling Haaland absence, including Phil Foden
City fans don’t really want to contemplate a team without Haaland leading the line.
The former Borussia Dortmund star is just lethal in front of goal, and his record of 94 goals in 101 games is just out of this world.
The sale of Alvarez means Haaland is now Pep’s only true centre-forward, so the hope is that he will be able to stay fit this term.
But Pep was asked about potential replacements for his main man up top in the event that he cannot play, and he offered three names.
He told beIN Sports: “Erling cannot play every game. The absence of Oscar Bobb is a big, big blow.
“But Phil (Foden) can play there, close to the box. (James) McAtee can play there, because he’s really good in these spaces, and even Gundo can play there.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the market, but I think we’re going to continue in that way.”
Pep will make it work if Haaland can’t play
There will come points this season when City will be without Haaland, either because he’ll be injured or in need of being rotated.
It doesn’t look as though City will be signing another forward to replace Alvarez, so it will be intriguing to see what Pep does in the event Haaland cannot play.
The most likely solution is Foden through the middle, operating as a false nine. We know how good he is in the tight spaces, and if the wide players can get beyond him and into the box then that could work
Every City fan knows how good Gundogan is in the box as well, so it would be no surprise to see him pushed high