Guardiola contrasts Messi and Haaland in the EPL

Erling Haaland shares Lionel Messi’s mindset and desire for goal-scoring, according to Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City.

In his four years at Barcelona, Messi was coached by Guardiola.

At Barcelona, Messi scored 50 or more goals six times, including 73 in the 2011–2012 season.

And according to Guardiola, Haaland’s mindset and drive remind him of Messi.

In terms of objectives and mindset, yes, he said.

But Messi has consistently performed this in each of the previous 10 to 15 seasons.

“However, Erling has equaled my goal total since I started at Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund. He generally scores a goal every game. He has an opportunity to do it one or two times per game.

Altogether with Andy Cole and Alan Shearer, Haaland has already scored 34 goals in the Premier League this year.