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Manchester City's Erling Haaland outlines what he can improve on under Pep Guardiola

Manchester City's Erling Haaland outlines what he can improve on under Pep Guardiola

Erling Haaland believes he can improve in every aspect of his game under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Manchester City newcomer Erling Haaland believes that while may need time to settle into life at the club, he is up to the task. 

The 22-year-old joined the Premier League champions from Borussia Dortmund for £51 million after City activated his release clause earlier this summer.

After a sensational two-and-a-half seasons in the Bundesliga, where he racked up a tally of 86 goals and 23 assists in 89 appearances, the Norwegian has announced himself as one of world football’s top prospects. 

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland after a club friendly between Manchester City and Club America on July 20, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland after a club friendly between Manchester City and Club America on July 20, 2022 in Houston, Texas.

After scoring the winner in City's pre-season win over Bayern Munich in the United States, Haaland was held scoreless on his competitive debut as Pep Guardiola's side suffered a narrow loss to Liverpool in the FA Community Shield. 

Haaland however, believes that when making such a big move, it can take some time for a player to bed into their new surroundings. 

"People can take time, people can come directly into it. We have to see, but I'm not concerned. That's life as a footballer - you have to live with it,” Haaland said in an interview with Sky Sports. 

Erling Haaland in Community Shield action
Erling Haaland in Community Shield action

"You are a kind of entertainer. You get judged every single week for what you do on the pitch and you have to deliver and do your best.

"For me as a striker, this is something I cannot stress about because if you think too much, you might end up doing things you don't want to do."

Haaland has impressed in pre-season training and is expected to start Manchester City's Premier League opener against West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Erling Haaland scores his first Manchester City goal
Erling Haaland scores his first Manchester City goal

The Leeds-born forward added: "It's all about trying to enjoy, live in the moment. People talk about what you did a year ago, but it's the next game that counts."

Whilst Haaland has been labelled by many as the final piece of Guardiola's puzzle at the Etihad Stadium, the former Dortmund man insists that he still has plenty of room to improve.

Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez
Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez

"(I can improve) everything. If you think I'm good at one thing, I can always get better," the Norway international said.

"This is something I have to do. As a young player, playing for Pep Guardiola, playing for the best club in England, I have to keep developing and get better at a lot of things.

"That's what I like a lot about football, you can always develop, you can always get better at the game."

Erling Haaland started his first Man City game (ManCity.com)
Erling Haaland started his first Man City game (ManCity.com)

Having struck relationships on and off the pitch soon following his arrival, Haaland is hoping to develop the person as much as the player as he enters his first season in England.

He said: "Part of the game is to get out of your comfort zone which is something I've been doing and something I like because then you develop more as a human being as well.

"The chemistry on the pitch with the other players is something that will come - I don't know if it will take weeks, months, but this is something we have to build on every single day in training.

"I'm a player that's hungry for goals, that gives 100 percent, that wants to win every single game. They are simple things but also really important things."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola, West Ham United

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