Erling Haaland reveals Jack Grealish joke as Man City prepare for Champions League final

Erling Haaland revealed how he has teased Jack Grealish at times this season, as Manchester City prepare for their final test of 2022/23.

Regardless of the result on Saturday in Istanbul, where City face Inter Milan in the Champions League final, both Haaland and Grealish can look back with pride on a campaign where they’ve lived up to expectations. For Haaland, his maiden season in England has been a record-breaking one, as he’s amazed fans with a return of 52 goals in as many matches.

As for Grealish, his second season in Manchester has been more enjoyable than his underwhelming first. The ex-Aston Villa star has spoken in great detail about his initial struggles at City after his £100m move, but the 27-year-old has been an integral part of the City team this term, and he’s played in all 12 Champions League matches in ‘22/23.

Speaking ahead of the final, Haaland explained that his immediate impact at City has become a joke between the pair. “I told Jack sometimes players need maybe a year or something to come into the new league and new team and everything and sometimes players come directly in and perform. I told him this,” he said, with a chuckle.

Despite Haaland’s incredible numbers, questions have been asked about his suitability to the City team this season, with Jamie Carragher suggesting in February that the striker may have ‘picked the wrong club’, while Haaland was also mocked on social after failing to impress on his debut against Liverpool.

“That was one game, Community Shield, I missed a couple of big chances,” he reflected. “It can happen, it will happen again. What can you do? Nothing.

“We have to focus on the next thing, the next game and that’s what I did. I scored two goals in the next game [against West Ham] , so it was still not a bad start.”

Asked if he listens to the criticism, Haaland replied: “No, but I’m not stupid I get things with me of course. I don’t read anything because I think my brain would be a bit crazy if I was reading everything everyone is writing. I cannot do that but of course I get things with me and then it was even better to score two goals in the next game.”