Pep: After Erling's new contract now we have to deliver | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says the onus is now on both Erling Haaland and City to deliver in the wake of the striker’s new long-term contract.

The Norwegian master marksman handed the Club a huge boost on Friday when signing a new 10-year contract.

The deal means the 24-year-old double Golden Boot winner will be staying at the Etihad through to the summer of 2034.

Coming on top of the new two-year contract extension signed by Guardiola late last year, it’s just the latest evidence of the Club’s quest to try and deliver even more success looking to the future.

However, addressing the media at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Ipswich, Guardiola insisted that with the striker’s future now settled, the focus for everyone was now about delivering on the field.

“I've been really pleased [about the contract] but I’ve said now we have to deliver,” Pep asserted.

“I have been here for 503 games, and in 485 more or less we have been exceptional.

WATCH: Inside City: Erling Haaland new contract special!

“Of course, in the last 12-13 games it has not been what we expect but the bigger picture has been a dream.

“Erling, of course, he’s here and now he has to deliver and perform well with the team and to help push the team and to push each other.

“The manager will be with him right now and it’s the same - we have to deliver.

“We have to continue to do it because it’s not as if it's not perfect now.

“Everyone in the club is happy but now we have to do it.”

Haaland’s impact in his two and a half years to date has been extraordinary by any measure.

Alongside the wealth of silverware he has helped City accumulate – two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, Champions League and UEFA Super Cup – the Norwegian’s incredible impact has also seen him plunder more than 100 career goals for City as well as winning a host of prestigious individual awards.

WATCH: Pep hopeful Haaland and De Bruyne partnership can continue beyond this season

However, just as important for Guardiola has been how Haaland has methodically taken care of his fitness and well-being and in the process cut down on the injury issues that kept him sidelined for times at previous club Borussia Dortmund

“The situation that happened with him when he came from Dortmund, playing this amount of games to be played in the Premier League with his [injury] struggles - I was concerned,” Pep added.

“But from day one he took physio and incredible professionalism and in the three years, especially the first and now [this season] he’s been the very best for that.

“Injuries are part of the game, he tries to avoid it like everyone and always had belief.

“Always I believe [to help avoid injuries] it’s about your focus on targets.

“And when you live 24 hours for that, after that you are less injured.”