PEP GUARDIOLA believes Erling Haaland could be even deadlier in the second half of the season â as long as the Norwegian stays off the carbs in Marbs.
While most elite players face a gruelling World Cup campaign, the Manchester City striker, 22, can look forward to going on his holidays.
Etihad boss Guardiola said: âHe will be in Marbella, for sure, and Norway. How perfect heâll be in the second half of the season depends on how he behaves in Marbella.â
Haaland returns to old club Borussia Dortmund for a Champions League clash on Tuesday night, having already notched up 22 goals for City since his summer move.
And Guardiola is hoping he can become even more prolific against some tired opponents after the tournament in Qatar.
Guardiola added: âIâm sure heâd love to be at the World Cup with Norway and hopefully he will be at the next tournament.
âBut he has a house in Marbella and he will go there. He will play golf, hopefully not eat and drink too much and come back in great shape for the second half of the league.
âItâs the first time in our lives itâll happen [a mid-season World Cup] so we donât know how the players will come back.
âIf you have six players who are world champions they will be really positive. Others may be depressed. Or the guys knocked out might have more holidays.
âWith this incredible schedule, youâve seen how many players will miss the World Cup because of this insane calendar.
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âWeâll see how they feel, weâll smell it, when they come back. Weâll adapt to our routine to play again.â
Guardiola has been surprised by Haalandâs “fox in the box”; attributes, especially his ability to move in tight spaces.
He said: âI knew he was a guy for big transitions and over 30 or 40 metres he was unstoppable but I didnât know how good he moves in small spaces.
âHe has scored a lot of goals because he moves really well.
âHe is so intuitive and makes movements I like a lot â he goes away from the action to be close to the ball afterwards.
âThis type of movement is not easy for a striker. Heâs so smart in the right moments.
âApart from that, his work ethic â heâs one of the first to arrive and is one of the last to leave.
âHe takes care of his body perfectly.
âHeâs also well educated in the way he has to live as a professional.
âLast season here in Dortmund he had a lot of problems, he could not play regularly. This season, thanks to our physios, heâs being treated really well and he can play every three or four days.â