Erling Haaland has warned Premier League defences that he is feeling better physically than he has for a long time.
Haaland scored for a third successive opening Premier League weekend on Sunday when his fine breakthrough effort set up a 2-0 win for Pep Guardiola’s men at Chelsea.
The Norway superstar retained the Golden Boot last season, scoring 27 goals in 31 matches. A handsome haul but a notable step down from his record-breaking efforts of 36 in 35 top-flight matches in City’s treble-winning 2022/23 campaign.
A bone stress injury in his foot was a factor in this as Haaland was sidelined for almost two months in December and January. The 24-year-old often looked short of his best form after his return.
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Norway’s failure to qualify for Euro 2024 granted Haaland some respite and, after playing a full part in City’s pre-season tour of the United States to put remaining niggles behind him, he feels he’s firing on all cylinders.
“I’ve had five weeks’ vacation and I didn’t play in the Euros. If you look at it that way it’s really a positive as I had more rest in my head than others and a full preseason,” Haaland said. “As a football player you need a vacation and you need to relax your head.”
“It was a good pre-season for me, I’ve never felt better. In general, I don’t have any pain in my body which is the first time for a long time. It’s amazing – you can push yourself more because you don’t have something in the back of your head. I had a long preseason, I enjoyed it.”
Haaland’s expert finish at Stamford Bridge was his 91st goal in 100 City appearances. Next up are Ipswich Town, a new foe for a player who has scored against all 22 clubs he has faced in the Premier League.
