Erling Haaland, the young Norwegian international striker, is lighting up the Premier League with his goal-scoring record for Manchester City. With 32 goals in just 28 league games this season, he has equalled Mohamed Salah‘s record of most goals in a single season and is on track to surpass it with eight games still remaining.
Haaland‘s incredible goal-scoring feat raises questions of whether he fits with Manchester City‘s possession-based tactics, which are geared towards smaller players like Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus. However, Haaland‘s seamless transition to the English top-flight suggests otherwise. His average of 1.29 goals per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season is higher than any return he averaged over two and a half seasons in the German Bundesliga.
Haaland is thriving in a team that is still adapting to his style of play. Kevin de Bruyne or Phil Foden must create assists for him, while other City forwards, midfielders, and full-backs are still trying to adapt. This reliance on individual playmakers to create chances for Haaland implies that City has yet to fully appreciate his strengths as a towering striker. It begs the question of what the impact will be on Haaland‘s goal-scoring if City adapts its tactics accordingly.
Haaland‘s record-breaking season gives him a chance to cement his place as one of the World‘s best strikers. Still only 22, Haaland has already broken Manchester City‘s record for most league goals in a single season and has scored 47 goals in all competitions. An averaging rate of 1.37 goals per 90 minutes is no mean feat.
Despite these impressive numbers, there remains a debate over whether Haaland is benefitting or being held back by Guardiola’s tactics. While few can doubt the Norwegian striker’s goal-scoring prowess, there are concerns over how he fits into a highly structured team that has primarily relied on intricate passing instead of a long-ball approach.
As the current season winds down, the speculation over Haaland‘s future is heating up. Many of Europe’s biggest clubs are keen to secure his services, with Manchester City eager to sign him on as a long-term replacement for the aging Sergio Aguero. Whether Haaland stays at Manchester City or moves to another club, there’s little doubt that his impressive goal-scoring record will make him one of the most sought-after strikers in the World for years to come.
