Man City Star Erling Haaland hits back at increased scrutiny over low touch-count in games
Erling Haaland said that when he scores, no one talks about how many touches he had. The Norwegian said that he would still try for 10 goals, even if he scored nine in a game.
People are questioning Haaland’s low touch-count during games, even though he scored a record 52 goals last season and is currently leading the Premier League with 25.
Haaland told the Men in Blazers show, “There has always been this talk about how many times I should hit the ball.” When I score, no one talks about my hits, but when I don’t, everyone does. The things people say about me are just a part of my life; I can’t change them.
“I just need to focus on what I need to do on the field. My job isn’t to be like Rodri and run the game; it’s to be in the box and finish off charges.” That’s what I care about, not what other people say.
“The goal is to help the team win.” Some people might find it funny to hear this, but you can play football without touching the ball. You can do it with your body, your mind, or your awareness. A big part of the game. It’s not enough to just touch the ball. You have to touch the ball, but I know what my job is on this team.
They took Haaland off after he scored four goals in last Saturday’s 5-1 win over Wolves. He looked unhappy, but he was happy that his replacement kept the goals coming. There was something else that made me mad. When Julián [Álvarez] came on and scored, I was so happy. “I’d like to score more goals, but I wasn’t upset about being taken off,” he said. “Think about it: if I score nine goals in a game, right?” It’s good. But let’s say 10. Isn’t it better? “Everyone agrees with me.”
The 23-year-old thinks he can do better. It’s clear that I’m still growing. “I’m a better player, but I’m still the same person,” Haaland said. “I’m in a great spot because I’m still young and Pep Guardiola is in charge of me.” I’m doing well and having fun. I’m glad.
If you join a Pep Guardiola team, you’ll learn a lot about how to play the game. It’s not simple; he always changes things, so you need to modify and learn new things. I’m making progress on this side, and my health is getting better.
Haaland named another player that he would like to be like. His name was Michael Jordan, and he played basketball. “Being like him would be cool because of the way he thinks.”
This week, Guardiola trained his players on a dry field to get them ready for Saturday’s game at Fulham, just in case the pitch is dry like it was for City’s 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest last month.
