Pep tells Haaland which Premier League star he needs to watch to improve

James Shearman

• 4 Feb 2023 17:47 GMT
• 3 min read

Pep Guardiola has told Erling Haaland that 'he can improve' by watching Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

Haaland has scored 25 goals in 19 Premier League matches since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.

The Norwegian, who cost City £51 million, is nearing Mohamed Salah's record of 32 goals in a season.

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But Guardiola believes that there is always room for improvement in life and Haaland is no exception.

The Spaniard pointed out the 22-year-old's closest competitor in the Golden Boot race, Kane, as someone to learn from.

The England captain, who has 16 league goals in the 2022-23 season, has a more well-rounded game than Haaland.

''With Erling, one of the attributes I am surprised by the most is how he is aware that he can improve in many departments,'' Guardiola told reporters.

''I am pretty sure maybe watching Harry Kane - and other players too - that he has the will to say 'I can do better.'

''With Erling's age, it is the best thing he can believe. Otherwise, it will be boring. Until we pass away, we can always improve. It is the only thing in our lives. Never, never stop.''

Haaland will face Kane on Sunday as Manchester City take on Tottenham in the Premier League.

Kane to Man City

City tried to sign Kane for £100m in 2021 but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy wanted £150m for his star striker.

A year later, Guardiola's side managed to sign Haaland for half as much as they offered for Kane - a decision he doesn't regret.

''What we have done over the years many times is that when the club decides it's too much, we don't take the player,'' the former Barcelona boss explained.

''I could explain three or four or five cases - but wouldn't talk about the players involved because they are at other clubs.

''But I have in my memory a few players where we were negotiating, but then we decided 'no, it's too much' - and we didn't do it.''