Erling Haaland has taken the Premier League by storm in his debut season, breaking the single-season goal-scoring record with his 35th goal of the campaign. At just 22 years of age, Haaland has surpassed two of the league's great goalscorers, earning himself a place in the annals of English football history.
As the Etihad's jumbotron flashes bespoke graphics commemorating his milestone, it becomes clear that Haaland's impressive achievements this season are far from inconsequential. He's the youngest player to reach 30 Champions League goals, the fastest to do so, and now holds the record for most goals scored in all competitions by a Premier League player.
The Inevitability of Haaland's Goals
Haaland's record-breaking goal came against a West Ham side that had been expertly drilled to deny Manchester City the spaces in which they wanted to play. But keeping City out also means keeping Haaland out, and very few sides have managed to do that this season. He has scored against every Premier League opponent he has faced, making his goals feel almost inevitable.
A Multi-Faceted Talent
In an attempt to explore under-appreciated aspects of Haaland's game, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola highlighted his wider contributions. "He gives us many things," Guardiola said, "pressing, defensive rates. He's involved in long balls and before we didn't have that. How he helps us to keep the ball, link with him and, after, run with the other players."
Indeed, there's more to Haaland than just his goal-scoring prowess. He has eight league assists to his name this season and has demonstrated his ability to fashion chances for his teammates. Additionally, his off-camera moments reveal a young man who is not only a record-breaking machine but also a supportive teammate and friend.
The Human Behind the Goal Cyborg
As Haaland has continued to break records this season, he has sometimes been portrayed as a cold and robotic goal cyborg. However, his interactions with his teammates, offering encouragement before games and celebrating their contributions, show that he is far from a one-dimensional player. Haaland is a young man who is not only enjoying personal success but also having a good time with his colleagues.
In a post-match interview, Haaland admitted that constantly thinking about breaking records would drive him crazy. Instead, his plans for the rest of the evening after his historic goal were simple: "I will go home, play some video games, eat something, then sleep."
An Extraordinary Talent Worth Celebrating
Erling Haaland's record-breaking season has been nothing short of extraordinary, and his achievements are worth repeating. With his relentless goal-scoring, multi-faceted talents, and human qualities, Haaland has become one of the most compelling talents in the game.
As the football world continues to write and talk about this incredible young man, it's essential to remember that we are witnessing something truly exceptional. In his debut Premier League season, Erling Haaland has etched his name in history, and there is undoubtedly much more to come from this phenomenal talent.
Analysis & Breakdown
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to It's Called Soccer to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.