There’s a strong possibility that Erling Haaland will return to the pitch for Manchester City in their upcoming Premier League match against Everton on Wednesday night after recovering from a foot injury. The 23-year-old Norwegian striker missed the last three home games and observed from the bench as City secured another trophy at the Club World Cup last week. During the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, Haaland had the opportunity to engage in individual training sessions.
Although City is uncertain about Haaland’s full fitness for the Everton game, Pep Guardiola previously stated that it was a 50/50 chance for Haaland to play in the Club World Cup. However, Haaland didn’t make a comeback during the tournament. Despite City’s impressive performance in the Club World Cup, winning the title and scoring seven goals in two games, Haaland remains one of their key players and a crucial component of their ambitions in various competitions, including the Premier League.
To ensure a smooth return, Guardiola may opt to limit Haaland’s playing time in the Everton match, possibly bringing him on as a substitute in the second half if needed. Julian Alvarez, who delivered an outstanding performance with two goals and an assist in the Club World Cup final against Fluminense, is likely to lead the attacking line. Supporting him in the attack will be Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish.
In terms of squad updates, Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol are available for selection, while Ralph Lewis and Nathan Ake are sidelined. Ederson is set to start in goal for Manchester City, employing a 4-2-3-1 formation with Walker as the captain and the rest of the lineup featuring Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, and Alvarez.
As City aims to maintain their successful run, having Haaland back in the squad provides a significant boost, adding depth and firepower to their attacking options in pursuit of success in both domestic and international competitions.
