Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland is clearly in the ideal environment to thrive as a player. The Norwegian international has scored 36 goals this season and is the top scorer in the Premier League with 25 goals so far this campaign. But this season has seen Haaland’s all-around game develop as he has become more involved in City’s build-up play. This season has been another step forward for Manchester City’s star striker as his overall game continues to evolve.
Haaland’s performances are so often the focus of media attention. Roy Keane likened his overall play to that of a League Two player following City’s scoreless draw with Arsenal last month. But that criticism appears well wide of the mark given Haaland’s performances this season. He has become more involved in City’s overall play. His hold-up play has improved and is beginning to become a feature of his play. It is clear that this feature of Haaland’s overall play is the next step in his progression as a player. But Haaland’s job is to score goals, and he was at his devastating best last weekend against Wolves. He scored four in City’s 5-1 win last weekend and is looming as one of the deciding factors in this season’s title race. While Haaland’s overall game is developing, it is clear to see that he is in the ideal environment to thrive and develop.
The mentality at Manchester City matches that of Erling Haaland.
In an interview on the Men In Blazers YouTube channel, Erling Haaland spoke of his focus for the remainder of the season. He said he is only focused on team success over the final stages of this season. Manchester City’s star striker also added that City’s mentality matches his elite mentality. He said: “I want more. Right now, my only focus is winning the Premier League, and after that, the FA Cup. I want to win more of these big trophies because the Treble feeling was unreal. Try to be successful and develop as a player and a person. That’s a really important thing, not only for strikers but the whole team.. Look at the club, what they’ve been doing. They’ve won three leagues in a row and want to go for more. It’s a bit the same (mentality as me). City win three in a row, but imagine how it would be to win four?”
Manchester City’s star striker is clearly in the right environment to grow and thrive.
It is clear that Erling Haaland is in the right environment to grow his game and thrive. City’s number 9 has already scored 88 goals in 94 appearances at the club. Haaland is an integral cog of the Manchester City machine, and as his game develops, he will become an even bigger contributor. That is a scary proposition for City’s rivals. With Pep Guardiola’s guidance and with his teammates at his side, the sky is the limit for the type of player Haaland will develop into. But that’s a topic for another day as only more silverware is the focus of Haaland, Guardiola, and his teammates.
In an ominous warning for the rest of European football, Haaland acknowleded the fact that he is still developing as a player. He believes he is a better version of the player that arrived at Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund. Haaland added: “Obviously I’m still developing. I’m still the same player, but I’m a better version of myself. I’m in the perfect place because I’m still young and I’ve got Pep, who is in charge of me. I’m doing well and enjoying it. I’m happy.“
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