Guardiola's concern about Haaland's Marbella holidays: Hopefully he doesn't eat and drink too much

Pep Guardiola has warned his star striker Erling Haaland to stay focused over the World Cup period, when Haaland will be in Marbella after Norway missed out on qualifying for the tournament.

Haaland has taken the Premier League by storm this season, netting an incredible 17 goals for Manchester City, and will have the advantage of coming back refreshed for the second half of the season as he won't be competing in Qatar.

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Haaland has a house in Marbella, so will have the perfect break, but Guardiola reminded his striker to take care of himself.

"He will be in Marbella, for sure, and Norway," Guardiola said.

"How perfect he'll be in the second half of the season depends on how he behaves in Marbella.

"He will play golf, hopefully not eat and drink too much and come back in great shape for the second half of the league.

"It's the first time in our lives it'll happen [a mid-season World Cup] so we don't know how the players will come back.

"If 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.

"With this incredible schedule, you've seen how many players will miss the World Cup because of this insane calendar."

Is Haaland going to the World Cup?

Norway finished third in qualification Group G for Qatar, meaning they missed out on even the playoffs.

Despite five goals from Haaland, the Netherlands took top spot in that group, led by Memphis Depay, and Turkey pipped Norway for the playoff spot on the final round of fixtures.

"I'm sure he'd love to be at the World Cup with Norway and hopefully he will be at the next tournament," Guardiola added when asked about it.

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