Erling Haaland has inadvertently revealed a motivational message displayed at Manchester City's training ground, designed to drive the team towards reclaiming the Premier League crown. The league's top goalscorer publicised the inspirational slogan whilst sharing a photo of himself alongside former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who visited Manchester and watched Sunday's draw with Chelsea.
City surrendered crucial points in that match, falling further behind Arsenal. Pep Guardiola's side now trail the Gunners by six points ahead of hosting Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday evening, a day before Mikel Arteta's men welcome Liverpool to north London. Yet, as their rallying cry proclaims, City "don't quit".
The complete message begins: "The pressure. The chase. The difficulties. We've been here before, pushed to the absolute limit and still taking everything. That has always been our spirit. We adapt. We respond. We turn setbacks into solutions. We change situations, because that's what we do. We are not weaklings. We are Manchester City Football Club." Haaland captioned his post: "Mentality".
Guardiola has repeatedly emphasised his squad's championship mindset. During their most recent Premier League triumph, he said: "This is the incredible value of these players... They know how difficult it is for them to be consistent for six or seven years..." He added: "I never had one season here when everything started perfect. Maybe the year for the 100 points... all the other years we have had our moments up and down. When we decrease a little. We talk and correct, and we come back in our rhythm, and now it's no different."
Arteta also regularly waxes lyrical about his squad. Ahead of the clash with Bournemouth, he remarked: "Well, it's where we are, and we are really happy with the position that we are in. It can always be better... the only thing we know is that it's always the next game... We are still in early January, so we have another five months to go, and so far we have to do much more." He also highlighted the team's desire, saying: "That's what they transmit every single day... You can see the desire, the energy they put in, and how much they want it; that's what we need."
