‘First time’ - Erling Haaland reveals why this could be his best scoring season for Manchester City
The Manchester City striker said he could benefit from a long summer break.
Erling Haaland has claimed he has ‘never felt better’ as he begins his third season at Manchester City.
The striker had a full summer off to rest and is one of the few senior players who took part in the club’s full pre-season. That could prove significant it what will be a marathon campaign for Pep Guardiola’s side, and one where limiting injuries will be key.
Haaland suffered from several knocks during his first two years in Manchester, including foot injuries in each season, and a muscular issue at the back end of last term. He also missed nearly two months of action last winter and Guardiola faced questions about the player’s individual training methods ahead of the Community Shield two weeks ago.
But, the 24-year-old has said after a long summer break that he feels at his optimum levels, which will inevitably lead to hopes of his best scoring season so far in England, eclipsing the 52 he netted in his debut campaign.
“I’ve had five weeks’ vacation, and I didn’t play in the Euros,” the Norwegian explained, after scoring in City’s 2-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday. “If you look at it that way it’s really a positive as I had more rest in my head than others and a full pre-season.
“It was a good pre-season for me – I’ve never felt better,” he continued. “In general, I don’t have any pain in my body which is the first time for a long time. It’s amazing, you can push yourself more because you don’t have something in the back of your head.
“I had a long pre-season, I enjoyed it. I’m so happy to be here - I’m ready to go again.”
Haaland is bidding to become just the third player in Premier League history to win the Golden Boot in three successive years, and it took him 18 minutes to open his 2024/25 account at the weekend.
The forward fastened onto Bernardo Silva’s poked pass and, after advancing into the box and holding off Marc Cucurella’s attempt to win the ball, waited and flicked it over Robert Sanchez. It was in contrast to the fixture last season, which ended in a pulsating 4-4 draw, when Haaland took a first-half shot early and saw it saved by the Chelsea stopper.
“I took a few extra touches because last year Sanchez made a great save from me, and I had this in the back of my head,” City’s no.9 explained. “That’s why I went close to him and to chip him. It was a fantastic goal.”
Asked for his verdict on the opening-weekend win over Chelsea, Haaland added: “Fantastic to be back, three points, great team performance, a good start and we go again.
“Last year we didn’t win here, and we didn’t win against Chelsea - it’s a great start. It’s never easy to come to Stamford Bridge no matter when or whatever. To get three points here is a nice thing and I’m really happy.”