Injuries can significantly alter a club’s dynamics and strategy. For Manchester City, the absence of star striker, Erling Haaland, has become an immediate concern. The Norwegian, who was crowned the world’s best player at the Globe Soccer Awards, has been struggling with a foot injury since early December. Pep Guardiola now faces the daunting task of navigating Premier League fixtures without him.

Although Julian Alvarez has stepped up brilliantly for Manchester City in Haaland’s absence, the anticipation surrounding the Norwegian’s return is growing. Let’s uncover the crucial fixtures Erling Haaland is set to miss for the defending champions.

Potential Missed Games: City’s PL Journey without Erling Haaland

The Cityzens are set to host Burnley on January 31st, and a visit to Brentford on February 5th, while welcoming Everton on February 10th. Erling Haaland will target the early games in February for a return if everything goes well with his recovery.

The Norwegian is almost certain to miss the upcoming FA Cup fourth-round clash at Tottenham on Friday, January 26th. Guardiola revealed, “He’s fine, but a little problem, disturbing his feet. A little bit more than we expected at the beginning in his bone. The bone needs time. He’ll be ready to come back at the end of this month.”

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With these fixtures on the horizon, Haaland’s absence leaves Guardiola with strategic decisions to make regarding his attacking lineup. The reality is that the player’s eight-week recovery period is ending, marking his potential return in February. City’s clash against Brentford at Etihad Stadium might witness Haaland’s return to the lineup. However, it might not be concrete yet whether Haaland will be introduced from the bench or straight into the starting eleven.

The manager had previously revealed that Haaland had been dealing with a foot injury after City’s loss to Aston Villa on Dec. 6. After the game, Guardiola said, “Hopefully we can recover him for the [Club] World Cup.” He had clarified that it was not a fracture but a bone stress reaction.

Further, Manuel Akanji is also unavailable until next month. “I don’t know if he will be ready for Spurs or Burnley,” Guardiola stated.

Is a Kevin De Bruyne-Haaland reunion on the horizon?

With Kevin De Bruyne back in action, Guardiola has one of his key superstars available, but the gap left by Haaland’s absence is visible. Fans eagerly wait to see the link-up play between De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, recognizing the pivotal role the duo plays for the team.

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Guardiola will tread carefully, ensuring the Norwegian’s complete fitness, before launching him again on the pitch. After all, they wouldn’t want to risk a long-term injury, given Haaland’s importance to the team.

As Manchester City prepares to defend their treble of titles, the Haaland injury saga surely poses a significant challenge for Pep Guardiola & Co. But fear not, Cityzens. Haaland’s return seems inevitable and just on the horizon. And when he does return, the PL Golden Boot race will ignite once again.

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