Erling Haaland travelled to Saudi Arabia with his Manchester City teammates but did not take part in their Club World Cup win
Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland share a joke after the Club World Cup win. (Image: AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City did not even have to rely on Erling Haaland to add more silverware to the cabinet on their mid-season jaunt to Saudi Arabia and, rather crucially, they got another timely reminder as to why they do not have to rush the Norway sensation back.
Haaland watched from the sidelines as his treble-winning teammates became world champions. It was Julian Alvarez who took centre stage as Haaland – along with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku – was made to watch on from the dugout in Jeddah.
It might not have been quite as important as their Champions League win last season, but this was the final point for City to make in the quest for footballing domination. They have long since been billed as the best team on the planet and Guardiola’s star-studded squad now have the merchandise to prove it.
Front and centre to their charge last campaign, there is arguably no player more pivotal to City than Haaland, but Guardiola will have to box clever before redeploying his knockout power. City did not exactly miss the Norwegian along their way to success in Saudi as they netted seven times in two matches.
Sterner tests are to follow across the board – not least against Everton today – yet there is no need to play the short game with Haaland. He might be 100 per cent fit by the time kick-off arrives at Goodison Park, but if there is any doubt then a gamble is not worth taking.
Guardiola shuffled his pack in attacking quarters against Urawa Red Diamonds and recalled Alvarez to lead the line for their showpiece win over Fluminense, where the Argentina ace scored two goals to gun down Brazilian opponents and add the Club World Cup to his FIFA World Cup medal.
Despite having to play second fiddle to Haaland and others in a City shirt, it has been quite the 12 months for Alvarez – for club and country – on his way to winning every trophy imaginable. While the temptation for City to bring Haaland back is understandable, doing so would also be unjust.
Julian Alvarez scored two goals for Man City during their Club World Cup showpiece win. (Image: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Alvarez, who has been on No.10 duty this term after De Bruyne was injured during City’s Premier League opener, has more than earned the right to keep his place up front against Everton.
By doing so, Guardiola would not only protect Haaland, but he would also send a telling message to Alvarez about his worth to the cause – as rumours circulate that he could perhaps look for a move away from the Etihad.
Despite concerns over their domestic form, City have unparalleled squad depth. Dipping into it will allow them to keep their star man on ice for a little while longer.
