Manchester City star Erling Haaland is unlikely to spend the international break resting, despite their obvious desire for that to happen.
Instead, it appears that a 20-minute meeting between Enzo Maresca and Norway manager Stale Solbakken has failed to achieve what the Manchester City manager may have been hoping for.
VG have comments from Solbakken today. He had never met Enzo Maresca before Friday. But that changed after he travelled to the City Football Academy to watch training and then hold a meeting.
Among things, it was confirmed that City physiotherapist Mario Pafundi will continue to be part of the Norwegian national team’s staff. But the real focus was on Erling Haaland.
“We had a very good conversation,” said Solbakken.
“We got to know each other a bit. We’ve had a very good relationship with Guardiola and City during my time as national team manager.
“That’s important regarding Erling. I introduced myself, we exchanged phone numbers, and we had our first conversation about Erling being a key figure for both of us. I think it’s important that we’ve met to ensure good communication – to have that honest dialogue and be able to trust one another.”
Open phone line
The Norway manager is hoping for the kind of open-door policy – or perhaps open phone line – that he enjoyed with Pep Guardiola. He also enjoys a solid relationship with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, which allows open communication over Martin Ødegaard.
“There will always be specific issues and pressure surrounding Martin (Ødegaard) and Erling (Braut Haaland),” he added.
“We’ve had good contact with Mikel Arteta (the Arsenal manager), and now the stage is set for us to establish a good rapport with Enzo Maresca as well.
“We talked a bit about the current situation. Erling is important, and we need to be open and honest with each other. We’ve never received any hints from Manchester City about resting Erling during international matches.
“The most important thing for me is that we continue to be open with one another. If opportunities arise here and there, we’ll give him a break when he’s played an extreme number of matches. After all, he did sit out a couple of the national team’s matches leading up to the World Cup.”
Fitness concerns
There is growing concern about the Manchester City striker, who has played every minute in four consecutive games so far.
That’s largely because he’s the only out and out striker in the City squad. Maresca has admitted he is actively looking at alternative options such as playing Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden in the position.
Manchester City could then, ideally do without Haaland featuring during the international break. But Solbakken isn’t making any promises.
“I don’t necessarily think the need for a break is that great in the immediate future,” concluded Solbakken.
“But the challenges will increase in November and December. The situation could become more difficult then than it is now. It wasn’t that long ago that Erling had three weeks off and rebuilt his physical fitness.”
