When you hear the name Haaland, you don’t usually think of medical charts and physio tables—you think of net-busting goals and defenders left clutching thin air. Yet, as Manchester City edges toward the business end of their season, Erling Haaland’s ankle has suddenly become the most talked-about joint in English football. After hobbling out of the FA Cup clash against Bournemouth on March 30, Haaland is now back in training, prompting both hope and hesitation in equal measure.
Haaland back on grass—but don’t book the open-top bus yet
Pep Guardiola, ever the master tactician (and occasional party pooper), made it clear in Thursday’s presser: while Haaland is improving, a cameo against Wolves is unlikely. “I don’t think so,” he quipped when asked about the Norwegian’s return. And frankly, who could blame Pep? After all, nursing a prized Ferrari back onto the motorway takes more than a splash of fuel and a quick tire check.
Haaland progress gives City fans reason to smile—and bite their nails
Yes, Haaland is back training with the squad, but match fitness and Instagram training clips are two different animals. Meanwhile, Rodri’s long road back from an ACL tear is even more labyrinthine. Guardiola emphasized that Rodri will only return when the medical team hands him the green light—and not a second sooner. Given the stakes, you can hardly fault the caution.
Why His return matters now more than ever
With four Premier League matches left, an FA Cup final on the horizon, and a Club World Cup jaunt to the U.S. waiting in June, City needs Haaland firing on all cylinders sooner rather than later. But if there’s one thing Guardiola knows (besides how to make a full-back play like a central midfielder), it’s that rushing a star back can backfire faster than a misfired VAR decision.
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