While a majority of the discourse around Erling Haaland’s move to Manchester City has been overwhelmingly positive, a certain sense of negativity still persists.
A popular opinion held by many is that the 22-year-old may struggle to adapt to Premier League football in his debut season.
This school of thought particularly exists as the Norwegian’s raw pace and power meant he thrived in the Bundesliga, which is known to be extremely open at the back as defences tend to be set up extremely high up the pitch.
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Due to Borussia Dortmund’s counter-attacking philosophy as well, the youngster was perhaps the archetypal striker in that system.
With the Sky Blues facing deep blocks on a weekly basis in the English top-flight, Haaland is expected to undergo teething problems by many.
The critics were especially out in full force after the ex-RB Salzburg talisman had a day to forget on his competitive debut for City against Liverpool in their 3-1 defeat in the FA Community Shield.
For starters, it seemed like the blockbuster striker and his new teammates were simply not on the same page from minute one.
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As a result, the son of former City midfielder, Alfie Haaland, stuck out like a sore thumb at the King Power Stadium.
To make matters worse, Haaland made a meal out of a delightful Bernardo Silva cross in the first half.
However, it truly seemed like it was not his day when the former Dortmund superstar blasted the ball onto the crossbar from close quarters, with the goal gaping wide.
With the world already slating Sky Blues’ newfound number nine left, right and centre, Pep Guardiola was quizzed about how his marquee signing is handling the pressure.
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“I don’t know how many goals he will score and I don’t care. As much as he is, does what he has done in his young career.
"We are not going to win for Erling or lose for Erling, we have to be ourselves,” he said, ahead of his side’s Premier League opener against West Ham.
The Catalan continued, “He’s quick, he’s a guy who played 90 minutes last week for the first time in five months, he’s a big figure physically, maybe needs more time to get (used) to conditions.
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"If he has doubts, he’ll score goals, he will score goals, he has done every year.
"Just adapt the way he plays and we will adapt the final third for him. I don’t have any doubts, but the goals he score, I don’t know.”
Ultimately, Guardiola’s quiet confidence in Haaland will be music to the City fans’ ears, who expect their star striker to set the world alight.
He is expected to make his Premier League debut on Sunday and will want to cap the occasion with a goal.
Featured Image Credit: Sportimage / AlamyTopics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Erling Haaland