Redaction Simon Brett with Dan Murphy
Published on 2024-02-08 16:00:00
Erling Haaland had a bit of a culture shock when he made the move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League. This transfer was championed by Manchester City, who acted swiftly in signing one of Europe’s most sought-after players for the 2022 season.
The acquisition of Haaland from Borussia Dortmund proved to be a masterstroke, as the Norwegian striker scored an outstanding 52 goals in his first 52 matches of his first season alone. His exceptional goal-scoring abilities were identified as the edge that Manchester City needed to reach the next level, and with Haaland in the team, they achieved a historic treble victory.
Upon joining English football, Haaland struggled to carry out his remarkable goal-scoring form but was still taken aback by one element of playing in the Premier League.
In an interview with The Official Man City Podcast, Haaland admitted, “It is, yeah. It’s loads of things. You get used to it, but you feel it more after games. It’s more duels. It’s more sprinting and running, you can feel it’s a more physical league.”
Potential concerns about Haaland’s injury record might have given City cause for concern before signing him. Unfortunately, during his time at Signal Iduna Park, Haaland faced multiple knee and muscle problems, missing 33 matches due to a total of eight injuries over two and a half years at Dortmund.
Despite the added physicality of the Premier League, Haaland did not suffer any major injuries in the previous season and only missed three matches with minor knocks. However, this season, he experienced a stress reaction in his foot, causing him to miss even more matches.
It is possible that Haaland’s body could start to feel the strain, and as a result, the injuries could start to pile up. Despite doubts about his durability, City has managed Haaland’s fitness effectively, but the impact of the Premier League could prove too demanding. These injury worries could have a significant impact on his future performance.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
