Rival Watch: Pep Guardiola issue update on star striker before Chelsea game

Pep Guardiola didn’t want to risk Erling Haaland before Chelsea game after he was replaced at half-time

Chelsea have been dealt tricky games in November, as after the Tottenham Hotspur game on Monday, they will next face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on November 12.

It was pretty strange to not see Erling Haaland on the scoresheet in Manchester City’s 6-1 win over Bournemouth, as the striker was replaced at halftime.

After scoring 50 goals in the previous season, Haaland has dominated the Premier League and has carried on his stellar play this year with 13 goals across all competitions.

The forward will be hoping to be fit to face Chelsea in his next game after being removed at halftime by Guardiola. The former Barcelona manager revealed the reason why he was substituted: a slight twist to his ankle was a potential risk.

The Spanish manager does not want to take a risk with their star forward and wants him to be fully fit for Chelsea’s clash and when asked about his substitution, (h/t Football.London), Pep said:

“It was a twist in the ankle; we didn’t want to take risks with him; he didn’t feel comfortable. He’ll be back maybe Tuesday, but maybe next Sunday.”

Haaland has undoubtedly influenced the league; surprisingly, no one anticipated him to score fifty goals in his first campaign in Premier League. Since the previous season, stopping him has become a major concern for centre-backs, and we are unsure of his availability to play against us.

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It’s clear that he is a top striker and that he poses a serious threat to every club in their box. Whether he is fit enough to face it or not, Chelsea will be ready for every circumstance. However, we have Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, and a victory over them will give us a huge lift before we play City on Sunday. That is presently our only objective.