With Erling Haaland setting a new record almost every minute he’s on the pitch and always hitting the mark, there are few explanations for the 22-year-old Norwegian’s performance. Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara fears the worst. Isn’t Haaland from this world?
The superlatives are now missing for Erling Haaland. “Should I be honest? I’ve never seen anything like it in my life,” said England international Jack Grealish about his Manchester City team-mate. In Wednesday evening’s 5-0 Champions League win against FC Copenhagen, the Norwegian scored his top-flight goals 27 and 28 in just 22 games, despite being substituted at half-time. “The first goal and the second goal just made me laugh. He’s always there. I hope he can continue like this and lead us to trophies,” said Grealish.
The former Dortmund striker has always scored at least one goal in the past nine competitive games. He scored 19 goals in twelve competitive games for Pep Guardiola’s team. That’s not the only reason Copenhagen keeper Kamil Grabara was stunned. The Pole was defeated by the 22-year-old attacker in the 7th and 33rd minutes. “Their goalkeeper said to me, ‘He’s not human,'” said attacking player Grealish.
A Copenhagen professional of all people prevented a hat-trick like in the 6-3 derby win against Manchester United on Sunday: David Khocholava steered the ball into his own net before Haaland was ready to score (39th). “He’s incredible,” coach Guardiola marveled at his goal machine. “He is loved by everyone.”
At the break, Guardiola took his exceptional striker off the pitch – to protect himself. “If the game had been close, Erling would have continued playing,” explained the ex-Bayern coach. “It was good that he was given a break. On Saturday we have a opponent in Southampton FC who we couldn’t beat last year.”
In the Premier League he has scored 14 goals in eight games and is the undisputed top scorer. He also leads the premier class with five goals. “It’s crazy to see how he scores the second goal,” enthused even Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup, explaining: “Today we played against one of the very best strikers in the world.”
As is well known, the wildest rumors surround this very best striker in the world. It has been said in recent days that Haaland could leave Manchester City as early as 2024 for a fixed transfer fee of between 180 million and 200 million euros. Coach Guardiola has now vehemently contradicted this: “That’s not true. He has no release clause for Real Madrid or any other club. Rumours! People like to talk.”
