Manchester City are struggling to regain their form. Unless they secure a backup striker for Erling Haaland, their woes will continue.
Guardiola’s team cannot afford to rely on one player. More importantly, Erling Haaland is not a classical Guardiola striker. Instead, his movement represents that of a classical target man rather than the mobile sort of player who can play a huge role in link-up play.
With only one striker in their squad, Manchester City (10.98) have little chance of winning the Premier League.
Manchester City’s dependence on Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has cemented himself as Manchester City’s goal-scoring machine, garnering an astonishing 52 goals in his debut season. This drove City to a historic treble. His strength, precision, and killer instinct in front of goal makes him almost irreplaceable. However, even a powerhouse like Haaland can’t play every match—injuries, fatigue, and the relentless demands of a season across the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups inevitably take their toll.
The problem is that City doesn’t have a true backup for him. Julian Álvarez, although brilliant, is better suited as a supporting forward than a traditional No. 9. When Haaland is unavailable, City’s attack loses its edge, as seen in games like last season’s 1-0 loss to Spurs, where clear chances went begging. Relying so heavily on one player not only puts enormous pressure on Haaland to deliver every week but also raises questions about City’s ability to adapt when it matters most. If they want to avoid burnout and costly missteps, finding a reliable alternative should be a priority.
The Gabriel Jesus and Julian Alvarez Departures
Gabriel Jesus’ departure created a noticeable gap in City’s attack, and with Julian Álvarez now gone, their options up front have become even thinner. While Erling Haaland remains the focal point, City needs a new striker whose skill set complements his, giving Guardiola greater tactical flexibility and easing the burden on the Norwegian star.
The demands of the Premier League, combined with European competitions, mean squad depth is non-negotiable for top clubs. Injuries in other positions often force Guardiola to reshuffle his lineup, stretching the squad even further. A reliable backup striker wouldn’t just reduce the strain on Haaland but also ensure City can rotate effectively, stay fresh, and remain competitive across all fronts.
City’s January Transfer Window Solution
The January transfer window offers a chance to fix this problem. City should prioritise signing a striker. Several promising players could fit into Guardiola’s system, although the availability of top strikers such as Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface is unclear. Spending in January is risky but necessary. It could be the difference between winning and losing titles.
