Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Man City
Topics: Kyle Walker, Erling Haaland, Manchester City, Football
Marcus Chan
Topics: Kyle Walker, Erling Haaland, Manchester City, Football
Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker has admitted he got it wrong about Erling Haaland.
Norway superstar Haaland joined City from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £51 million last summer.
Ever since his arrival, the 22-year-old has been in scintillating form for Pep Guardiola’s side.
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To date, he has made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring 50 goals and assisting eight.
It is safe to say that Haaland has exceeded many people’s expectations, including his own teammates.
In a recent interview, Walker admitted that he did not expect Haaland to score as much as he has done.
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He said: “I could see his quality when we played against him in the Champions League. But did I feel he could hit the ground running and get the goals he's done? Of course not.
“To come to a new league and a new team it’s always going to be difficult. That shows the level of the player, the maturity of the young boy at 22. Long may it continue. It’s extraordinary what he’s done.”
Walker continued: “I’ve had the privilege to play with him and Harry Kane now who, for me, are up there with the best out-and-out number nines. The goals they both score are tremendous. Erling has taken it to a new level now.
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“He’s set the bar, he’s only young and he needs to keep doing this season in, season out, to hopefully keep on breaking more records and keeping the form he is in.”
Haaland was on target over the weekend as City recorded a hard-earned 2-1 win over Fulham.
Walker said that the victory was the icing on the cake after a more than decent week.
He said: “It topped off a good week, where we got the victory against Arsenal.
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“We said in the dressing room after the hard work we put in against Arsenal we needed to - no disrespect to Fulham - get the win.
“We’re thankful we got the three points. Now we move onto Wednesday, which is the game in hand and another really important game where we need to pick up three points.”
City are now in pole position to retain their Premier League title and will be looking to continue their fine form against Wes Ham United on Wednesday night.