While many of his Manchester City teammates were engaged in international football over the summer, Erling Haaland spent his time helping his father chop wood. The striker, who would have preferred to be competing in the Euros with Norway, had to settle for a summer of chores and relaxation after Norway failed to qualify for the tournament.
This period of rest and work seems to have had a positive impact on him. In just two games of the new season, Haaland has already scored four goals, including a hat-trick in Saturday’s 4-1 victory against Ipswich. This remarkable start means he has already doubled the goal tally of any other player early in the season.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has noted the noticeable improvement in Haaland’s performance. “A few weeks ago, I mentioned he feels better than in previous seasons,” Guardiola said after the match at the Etihad Stadium. He recalled that Haaland had previously mentioned feeling tired, but this season, with no international tournament, he arrived in peak condition.
Guardiola acknowledged that while Haaland’s impact is crucial, he cannot play every game throughout the season. Nevertheless, the manager is thrilled with the striker’s form and goal-scoring prowess. Haaland has been a dominant force in the Premier League, finishing as the top scorer in both of his seasons in England so far.
In his first season, Haaland scored an impressive 36 goals, and although he missed several games through injury last season, he still netted 27 goals, which was five more than any other player. Haaland is now just six goals away from reaching 100 goals for Manchester City, a remarkable achievement given he has played only 101 games.
Guardiola described Haaland’s statistics as “ridiculous,” highlighting that the striker can compete with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi in terms of goal-scoring. The manager expressed his delight at having such a powerful player in the team, hoping Haaland will stay at City for many years to come.
While Haaland was the standout performer, the match also marked the return of a Manchester City legend. Former captain Ilkay Gundogan rejoined the club on Friday after a season at Barcelona and was given a hero’s welcome upon his return. He received a standing ovation when he came on in the second half.
Gundogan, who first joined City in 2016, played a key role in their five Premier League titles during his initial spell. Although his age means he may not feature as frequently as before, Guardiola values his experience highly as City aims for an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title.
The manager expressed his pleasure at Gundogan’s return, emphasizing their long-standing relationship and the midfielder’s understanding of what is required. Guardiola welcomed the added experience that Gundogan brings to the squad.
Throughout the game, Gundogan was visibly delighted to be back at City. Whether stepping off the team coach, participating in the warm-up, or entering the pitch amidst chants of “Gundo’s coming home,” his smile was a testament to how much his return to the club means to him. “It feels like I’ve never been away. It feels like home. I am very proud to be back,” Gundogan said, reflecting his happiness and pride in rejoining Manchester City.