Manchester City star Erling Haaland has made a concerning admission regarding his team’s season.
After winning the Premier League title four years in a row, City have endured what Haaland has described as a ‘catastrophic’ campaign this time around.
Pep Guardiola’s side are currently in fourth place in the league – 18 points adrift of champions Liverpool.
City also failed to secure glory in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, although they do still have a chance of winning silverware in the form of the FA Cup as they take on Crystal Palace in the final on Saturday.
There have been numerous factors behind City’s slump, including injuries and disappointing performances.
However, one reason that Haaland alluded to may be particularly concerning for City fans.
Man City striker Erling Haaland has made a worrying admission regarding his team’s struggles
Haaland indicated that a lack of hunger is one of the reasons that City have underperformed.
The striker was eager to emphasise that he feels that his own performances haven’t been of the required standard.
As reported by ESPN, Haaland said: ‘You can find excuses in all of this – injuries, many injuries and at bad times – but in the end we haven’t been performing well enough. We haven’t had the hunger inside of us. I haven’t been good enough, I haven’t helped the team enough.’
Haaland added that City need to find the hunger required to perform better next season.
He said: ‘The club has set standards and the bar is so high which means this season is a catastrophic season – that says it all. Next season we need to find something inside our stomach again to attack the season.’
After scoring 52 goals in all competitions during his first season at City, Haaland found the net 38 times last campaign. So far this season he has scored 30 times.
City looked to have turned a corner recently with five successive wins in all competitions but last weekend they were held to a goalless draw away to already-relegated Southampton.
Guardiola’s team will conclude their league campaign with games at home to Bournemouth and away to Fulham.
City have lost nine times in the league this season, which is something that needs to drastically improve next campaign if they are to challenge for the title.
They will also be competing in the Club World Cup this summer an will take on Juventus, Wydad and Al-Ain in the group stages.
