MANCHESTER CITY have sent physio Mario Pafundi out to Norway’s training camp to keep a close eye on Erling Haaland.
The champions are delighted with the start their summer signing has made – with 14 goals in his first nine matches.
2
2
However they know the £51.4 million star’s final season at Borussia Dortmund was wrecked by injuries.
And they want to make sure he sticks to the training routines which have worked so well for them during the opening six weeks of the season.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken claimed Pafundi will effectively work as their third physio and will not work exclusively with Haaland.
However he did admit the striker had recommended the medical man should be added to the backroom staff for the Nations League games against Serbia and Slovakia.
It is the first international break since he officially became a City player and his new club are keen to build a relationship with his national set up.
Etihad sources say they aim to share the practices which have worked so well during Haaland’s sensational start to life in England.
They have managed him carefully since he first joined up with them on July 10 and have so far reaped the benefits.
It has not yet been decided whether Pafundi will go again when Norway – who have not qualified for the World Cup – are back in competitive action in March.
Most read in Football
He has been with City since Guardiola arrived in 2016 and currently works as a sports therapist.
Meanwhile Solbakken is happy with the way City have utilised their summer signing during his incredible start in England.
Guardiola has often substituted him when their games are won – although he played the whole 90 minutes at Molineux on Saturday.
Solbakken said: “They have managed it very, very well. I got a bit worried in the Wolves game.
“It was 3-0 and he was running and yelling when he didn’t get the ball. I shouted ‘calm down Erling’ at the TV. He has more important matches to come!”
Norway face Serbia and Slovenia in the Nations League over the next few days and are currently top of their group after the first four matches.
Haaland will be in line to captain his country if Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard is not ready to start.
