Erling Haaland continued his remarkable form with a brace against Bournemouth on Sunday, further solidifying his status as one of the most formidable strikers in the Premier League. Manager Pep Guardiola has drawn comparisons between the Norwegian forward and two of football’s greatest ever players, highlighting his extraordinary impact on the pitch.
Haaland has been nothing short of unstoppable this season, netting 13 Premier League goals in just 10 appearances and extending his tally to 17 goals in 13 games across all competitions. His performance against Bournemouth saw him surpass other top scorers in the league, scoring seven more goals than any other player after the match. The 25-year-old has also made a significant mark on the international stage, scoring nine goals in three matches for Norway since the start of the season.
Guardiola expressed his delight at having such a world-class striker in his squad, emphasizing that Haaland’s goal-scoring record places him among the legends of the game, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
“This is what it’s like if you play with Messi or Ronaldo, his influence is so big,” Guardiola said following the victory over Bournemouth. “You see the numbers of that guy? Of course he’s that level. Messi and Ronaldo have done it for 15 years, but this is the level. The first goal, the way he shoots the ball, it’s like ‘I am going to score’.”
Haaland’s relentless hunger for goals has not gone unnoticed. Guardiola praised his coachability and openness to feedback, despite being a tough manager. “I am tough sometimes with Haaland, but he is open-minded. He lives for the goals and sometimes the pressure cannot sustain 90 minutes, but that’s normal. Without him it would be tough to be honest, but we are lucky that Omar [Marmoush] is back, and we have fit players, it’s good.”
In addition to his physical and mental attributes, Guardiola highlighted Haaland’s kind and humble nature. “We are so blessed and lucky to have, first of all, an incredible person because he’s the sweetest and kindest. And he will improve. And after that, as a player the numbers are just outstanding.”
Haaland was pleased to return to the scoresheet after a rare goalless performance in a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa. “Important win. It is good to bounce back after losing a bad away game. It was nice,” he said to Sky Sports. “I tried to contribute for the team by doing my job. It is good to win. Now two more important games to come, so keep focusing. I didn’t score last game. I try to help the team to win. That is my goal and even by scoring or helping in winning duels it doesn’t matter. I want to help the team become better, that is my job.”
The victory propelled Manchester City back into second place in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Arsenal. With a crucial clash against Liverpool approaching at the Etihad Stadium, the team will look to maintain their momentum.
Erling Haaland Premier League stats:
- Apps: 107
- Goals: 98
- Assists: 17
As the season progresses, Haaland’s performances continue to shape the narrative of Manchester City’s campaign, with fans eagerly anticipating more of his exceptional contributions.
