Haaland Targets Comprehensive Enhancements Following Stellar Season Start

Add as a preferred source on Google

Erling Haaland aims to enhance his overall skills as a forward in the 2024-25 season. He began the campaign with a goal in Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Chelsea. Haaland scored after 18 minutes at Stamford Bridge, receiving Bernardo Silva's pass and navigating through two defenders before finishing past Robert Sanchez.

Haaland has consistently started his Premier League seasons with goals, having scored braces against West Ham in 2022-23 and Burnley in 2023-24. He is now the sixth player to score his team's first goal in three different Premier League seasons and the second to do so for City, following David Silva.

Over the last three seasons, Haaland has netted more Premier League goals in August (13) than Chelsea (11) and Manchester United (9). Despite Norway's failure to qualify for Euro 2024, which gave him an extended pre-season, Haaland admits he is still adjusting. "Three points, it's a perfect start," he told Sky Sports. "I had a long pre-season but I don't feel perfect."

"It's good to get that win," Haaland continued. "I knew exactly what to do; it was a really good goal." Reflecting on his goal against Sanchez, he added, "I remember last year he made a really good save against me; it had been irritating me for a long time."

Haaland has been directly involved in 106 goals in 100 appearances for City across all competitions. Sunday's opener marked his 91st goal for the club, along with 15 assists. However, some pundits have criticised him for not contributing enough outside the penalty area.

"The best players are the best on the easiest things," Haaland said. "Touching it with your right and passing with your left. That's important." He added that Pep Guardiola emphasises this constantly and that he wants to get more involved in games.

"I want to get more assists and become a better player," Haaland stated. Yet, he pondered if more involvement was necessary in certain matches: "That's the million-dollar question."

Manchester City's Winning Streak

Manchester City have won their last ten Premier League matches, scoring at least two goals in each victory. They hold more ten-game win streaks than any other team in the competition, with seven such streaks.

Haaland's ambition to improve his game aligns with Guardiola's vision for him. As he continues to adapt and refine his skills, Manchester City fans can look forward to seeing even greater performances from their star forward.