Erling Haaland needed barely three hundred seconds on Saturday night to bring Chelsea to their knees. Within five minutes, he scored twice. In the second half, the Manchester City superstar completed his hat-trick, but he was not satisfied.
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"It was a long preparation," Erling Haaland remarked after Manchester City wrapped up their preseason tour of the United States.
Speaking through the official channels of the English champions, Haaland reflected on the team's efforts during their time abroad, acknowledging the productive stint despite many of the club's key players still being absent from the squad. "We finished it off well today. And now the other guys will join us back in England," he said, hinting at the reintegration of the team's senior players who were either on extended breaks or just rejoining after international duties.
Haaland, who has quickly become one of the most feared strikers in the world, expressed his eagerness to link up with the full squad. "Then we will go even further," he admitted, confident in the squad's potential once at full strength. The Norwegian forward also took time to praise the young talents from City’s academy who had been given the opportunity to train and play with the first team during the preseason. "The academy boys who were with us now have a lot of quality. A lot. But it is different," he noted, acknowledging the distinction between youthful promise and the experience needed to compete at the highest level. However, he remained optimistic, stating that "if we keep working hard from here, we will get into a rhythm and do what we need to do in the Premier League."
Despite scoring a hat-trick against Chelsea, Haaland's assessment of his own performance was notably self-critical. For a player who has set extraordinarily high standards for himself, a hat-trick is not enough to signal peak performance. "It’s not perfect yet. My fitness needs to be better," Haaland conceded, suggesting that while he may have found the back of the net multiple times, he still feels there is room for improvement in his overall game. "But it will be," he added, confident that with time, he will regain the sharpness that has made him one of the most prolific strikers in football.
Haaland also acknowledged that he hasn’t yet reached his peak form, a concerning thought for Premier League defenses given his current output. "I haven’t reached my peak form yet. I haven’t found my rhythm," he admitted, indicating that the preseason, while useful, hasn’t yet allowed him to fully click into gear. However, he quickly reassured fans and teammates alike that this is just a temporary phase. "But that will happen," he warned his rivals, clearly sending a message that once he hits his stride, he will be an even more formidable force.
Haaland’s competitive drive and hunger to improve are evident, and his anticipation for the upcoming season is palpable. With Manchester United awaiting them in the Community Shield next week, Haaland is eager to get the new season underway. "If I do what I need to do, I will find that peak form. It will happen soon, and I’m not worried about it," he stated confidently. This mindset not only highlights his personal ambitions but also reflects the high expectations at Manchester City as they aim to defend their Premier League title and contend for more silverware.
As the season approaches, Haaland’s remarks underline a broader narrative at Manchester City. The team is coming off a highly successful campaign, but the drive to maintain and even exceed that success is clear. For Haaland, this means not just scoring goals but also reaching new levels of performance. His acknowledgment of needing to find his rhythm suggests that he is fully aware of the demands of the long season ahead and is preparing himself to meet them head-on.
The upcoming Community Shield match against Manchester United will be an early test, not just for Haaland but for the entire Manchester City squad. It will offer a glimpse into how prepared they are to start the new season on a strong note. Haaland’s comments indicate that while there may be some early rust to shake off, he is focused and determined to lead the line for City with the same devastating impact he had last season.
In summary, Haaland's reflections offer insight into his mindset as he enters a new season. Despite his success on the pitch, he is far from complacent, striving for continuous improvement and ready to take on the challenges ahead. His determination to reach peak form and his confidence in doing so are emblematic of the elite mentality that has driven his rapid rise in football. As the season kicks off, all eyes will be on Haaland to see how quickly he can find his rhythm and continue his remarkable goal-scoring exploits.
Updated: 03:52, 4 Aug 2024
