Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola is optimistic that Erling Haaland will be able to play a part in Saturday's pre-season friendly against Chelsea.
The two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner only lasted until half time in the Citizens' recent 2-2 draw with Barcelona, where Guardiola's men proceeded to lose the penalty shootout.
Following that contest in Orlando, Guardiola admitted to the media that Haaland had been experiencing some discomfort, although he only described his problem as a "niggle".
Nevertheless, Guardiola's comments sparked some concern over the Norwegian's condition for the imminent clash with Chelsea in Ohio, City's final pre-season match of the summer.
However, addressing the media in his pre-game press conference, Guardiola revealed that Haaland was feeling much better, and he expects the striker to be involved this weekend.
Pep suggests Haaland will not start Chelsea clash
© Reuters
The Catalan coach suggested that he will not risk the 24-year-old from the first whistle, though, claiming that Haaland might be restricted to "a few minutes" in Columbus.
"[His condition is] much better," Guardiola said. "He told me today he woke up much better and hopefully tomorrow he will play a few minutes [against Chelsea]."
The Premier League champions are already coping without Haaland's backup striker Julian Alvarez, who was called up to Argentina's Olympics squad but suffered quarter-final heartbreak to France on Friday night.
Kyle Walker, Rodri, John Stones, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are also on holiday after their Euro 2024 exploits, and a weakened City are yet to win any of their summer contests so far.
The four-goal draw with Barcelona succeeded defeats to Celtic (4-3) and AC Milan (3-2) earlier in Man City's USA tour, and the showdown with Chelsea comes just two weeks before they square off at Stamford Bridge in the opening weekend of Premier League fixtures.
Guardiola: 'City have just 20% of team in pre-season'
© Imago
Owing to City's wealth of international absentees, Guardiola claimed that he is working with just "20%" of his first team in pre-season, adding: "We have 80 percent of the team not here. So I don't know which team will be there [for the Premier League fixture].
"When we made the pre-season we didn't know the calendar of the Premier League. It is what it is. We have to adapt. Normally we come here with 80% of the first team, this time we are here with 20% so it's a big difference.
"It's good for the young players to grow up in every game. And every time we play we add minutes to the body so it will be better. To play every few days in front of 65 or 70 thousand, or 50 thousand people, it is so exhausting. It is a lot of responsibility to do well.
"This demands a lot of energy, not just physicality that's why they need a break and a holiday. That's why they are not here. The fans would love it, I would love it but the players need rest."
In between their two August clashes with Chelsea, Man City will take part in the traditional curtain raiser next Saturday, facing FA Cup winners Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley.
Ben Knapton
