The prolific striker for Manchester City, Erling Haaland, asserts that there’s room for improvement despite his impressive record of 80 goals in 84 matches for the Treble-winning team.
Just last week, the 23-year-old Norwegian international netted five goals in Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth-round victory against Luton.
Despite being sidelined for nearly two months due to a foot injury, he clinched last season’s Premier League Golden Boot and currently leads this season’s standings.
“There’s a lot of things I can become better at,” he said.
Despite scoring in Sunday’s Manchester derby, Haaland referenced his incredible miss – when he somehow put the ball wide of an empty goal when he was barely three yards out – as evidence there is more to do.
“People say I’m good at scoring goals but I missed the biggest chance in the world ever two days ago. I can also become better at that,” he added.
Haaland demonstrates remarkable mental fortitude. Despite leading the Premier League in ‘big chances missed’ with 26, his remarkable scoring record remains intact.
Over the weekend, he brushed off the miss he acknowledged and secured City’s victory over United, furthering their pursuit to become the first English club to claim four consecutive top-flight titles.
Such resilience hasn’t always been evident.
“It’s been a challenge,” he said. “When I was young, I would start crying if we lost and I missed a lot of chances. I’ve been working on it a lot and it’s been a challenge.
“I demand a lot from myself and my team-mates demand a lot from me.”
Haaland could hardly have had a better debut campaign in English football last season – his 52-goal tally is the most anyone has scored in all competitions in the Premier League era.
Only Everton’s Dixie Dean, who scored 63 goals in 1927-28, has ever bagged more in a single English season.
Despite his immediate success, Haaland has maintained his focus and determination.
“You can think about it in two ways,” he explained.
“One, I came here and won it all, the other I’m 23 years old and got the taste of it, how it is to win everything, and when I feel this, I want to win it again. Easy as that.”
Haaland said he is “very happy” at City, adding he was aware he might be making “a massive headline” as he avoided talk of a contract extension, insisting he was solely focused on a big week that ends with Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.
Before that, Danish side FC Copenhagen visit the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League last 16. City lead 3-1 from the first leg, against a club Haaland knows well.
“I was on trial in 2016,” he said. “I was interested and I even got a number nine Haaland shirt, which I still have at home. A couple of guys from the club wanted me then but not everyone. It didn’t happen – sad for them.”