According to teammate Phil Foden (22), Erling Braut Haaland (22) has made quite an impression, both on and off the pitch in Manchester City.
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After the transfer from Borussia Dortmund for around NOK 600 million, the youngster has had a dream start in the light blue uniform. Only twelve minutes into his debut against Bayern Munich, he found the back of the net.
– He is “scary” in front of goal. Everyone knows about his fantastic scoring statistics, says teammate Phil Foden in a recent interview with Sky Sports.
See Haaland’s first City goal here:
The technically gifted attacking player also comes with a warning to those who might think that Haaland’s first time in Manchester City will only be a bed of roses. Much is about Haaland having to become 100 per cent comfortable in City’s playing style, he believes.
– We must also remember that he is also coming to a new league with faster football that requires adaptation. It may take some time for him to get used to it. But once that happens, I’m sure that Erling will be unstoppable, he points out.
–Naturally, manager Pep Guardiola is also very concerned about this. He is aware that the new players, led by Braut Haaland, must adapt to the way Manchester City plays football.
In a major interview with the club’s own website, he says that they are not going to change the recipe for success that has produced a bunch of trophies in recent years.
– We are not going to change the way we play. But we must ensure that the quality these players have is utilized in the way we play football. I’m sure it will happen. We’ve only had a few days together, but I’m left with a good feeling about what I’ve seen, says Guardiola mancity.com.
–Foden says that there is only one forward he can think of who comes close to possessing Haaland’s extreme skills in front of goal.
– Aguero is similar. Haaland also finishes in every possible way. If we manage to give him the ball in the right areas, he will be incredibly important for us.
The Englishman says that the former Molde striker has made quite an impression after he stepped up in Manchester at the start of the month.
The two know each other well from before. After the meeting between Dortmund and Manchester City in the Champions League last spring, the two spent a long time together out on the field after the match was over.
– He is a brilliant guy off the field who is a very good addition to the squad. He is humble and makes us all laugh. This is important when joining a new club. He is extremely hungry to achieve success with us, says Foden.
–During the interview with Sky, which was done a few days before the Community Shield meeting against Liverpool, Foden was also asked if he was jealous of what appears to be a growing “bromance” between Haaland and Jack Grealish.
Then Foden had to pull the smiley face.
– No, absolutely not. Erling gets along well with all of us. We are very close as a group, says the Englishman.
Liverpool and Manchester City will meet for a showdown as winners of the FA Cup and Premier League respectively in the Community Shield on Saturday at 18:00. The following weekend the Premier League starts.
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