Erling Haaland has started the 2024/2025 Premier League season like a man on a mission.
Haaland opened the scoring for Manchester City in their 2-0 victory against Chelsea and against Ipswich Town, he gave them them an unpleasant welcome to the Premier League with a hat-trick.
As Haaland went level with Wayne Rooney in terms of his Premier League hat-trick tally, he also seems to have become the clear favourite for the Golden Boot just two games in.
Noni Madueke’s hat-trick for Chelsea in their 6-2 demolition job of Wolves leaves him just a goal behind the Manchester City striker.
The £51 million man, whose technical quality is often questioned also seems to have improved in this regard — with his first touch and comfortability on the ball in tight areas looking far more polished.
After missing out on a place at Euro 2024 for Norway, Haaland has returned to the pitch looking sharp, well-rested and in form.
Guardiola makes intriguing observation about Man City superstar
The 24-year-old would have been disappointed not to participate at the tournament and he seems to have channeled this very feeling into his displays so far this campaign.
Out of the four goals Haaland has scored, the variety of his strikes have stood out; carrying the ball before dinking Robert Sanchez against Chelsea, a spot-kick, running in behind and rounding Arijanet Muric to score as well as a long-range belter against Ipswich.
The Norwegian has been extremely clinical; an aspect where his game was not at his best last season.
However, Pep Guardiola has revealed why he feels Haaland looks “sharper” currently.
Guardiola said via BeanymanSports: “He feels good. Last season, always, problems with the hips, problems in the ankle, with the knee, this season, of course, he takes care of himself with the physios really well but I have the feeling that he’s sharper.”
“After training sessions, [he] stays longer to practice crosses or controls or whatever, you know. And last season, never happened because he was not perfect. His body has to be perfect to perform at that level and that’s why we have an incredible organisation to help the players to be as comfortable to perform at their best.”
Arsenal will dread hearing Erling Haaland revelation
Arsenal, who seem best-placed to challenge Manchester City to the title would dread listening to Guardiola discuss how Haaland looks sharper than last season.
Despite the Leeds-born striker constantly suffering aches and pains as well as a major injury, his tally of 27 league goals played a key role in City winning the title.
Now that Pep Guardiola has disclosed that Haaland is fully-fit and is staying after training to polish his game, Arsenal should have every reason to be worried.
The former Borussia Dortmund phenomenon is exactly the kind of number nine that the Gunners lack in their ranks.
If Haaland continues to score goals at the rate he has so far this campaign, Manchester City could be set to beat Arsenal to a third successive league title.