Erling Haaland faced the media in just his third Manchester City press conference, and struck a different tone to his previous two appearances.
Erling Haaland is thrown in front of the cameras on what feels like a weekly basis. But he’s rarely thrown in front of dozens of questioners at the same time. Maybe it’s something he’d prefer to avoid.
Since signing for Manchester City in 2022 he took part in a bombastic press conference to unveil his signing, before a surprise and engaging appearance before the Champions League clash with Copenhagen this season. Apart from that, he’s kept his distance from the press conference arena.
So to speak in New York, two years and one month on from that unveiling, was a rare insight into City’s star attraction. And he didn’t disappoint.
Walking in, Haaland woke up the room with a booming ‘good afternoon’. When he received a few nods in response, he channelled his inner pantomime routine and asked for a more enthusiastic response. He got it.
“My body is rested and I’m ready to go,” he said, noting that he had his longest break of his career this summer with no Euro 2024 action. That hurt him – he is targeting the 2026 World Cup to taste tournament football, and if that doesn’t work out he’ll refocus on 2028. And then 2030. He’s desperate to represent Norway at the top table.
“It felt amazing. I needed it,” he said of his break. “I was quite tired. It’s going to be a long season this year as well.” Haaland calculates that he could play 70 games this season, including internationals. He didn’t watch much of the Euros in an attempt to completely switch off. “There’s enough football in my life,” he said.
Last season, he missed almost two months with an ankle injury, and he admits it took a lot out of him physically and mentally.
“I was not optimal way. When you’re injured for over two months you lose sharpness,” he explained. “It was tough, hard. It wasn’t easy. During the Euros we saw in general how tired people were. You could see the level… even in people’s faces how tired they were of football, if you can say it that way. I think that’s how it will be this season.
“Some won’t get a lot of vacation. I think that’s the way we are going now. I don’t think we can be sharp in every game. We can try but it’s difficult to be sharp if you play 70 games a year. You have to try to work with your team and the people around you to become the best version of yourself.”
That feels significant from a player like Haaland. He is one of the games biggest stars, yet he feels the standard of football at the highest level is suffering because there are too many matches. He joins Rodri in calling for more protection for players, and his introduction tot he conversation should carry a fair bit of weight.
Haaland isn’t one to mince his words. He will happily say nothing if it avoids saying something. So it felt deliberate for him to raise this point, almost unprompted.
Is there too much football then? Haaland returned back to his mischievous self. “Well, what do you think?” I like watching football, came the answer. “I love to play.”
Haaland insisted City don’t need to improve to win titles, reminding us that they have won three trophies in both of his seasons at the Etihad. He said he was proud to wear the captain’s armband this week against Celtic and insists he’s better at ‘everything’ since working under Pep Guardiola.
So what does Guardiola make of Haaland’s tiredness claims?
“Erling has already rested,” the boss said bluntly. “He was not in the Euros. A month and a half rest. Rodri has to rest, that’s why he’s still on holiday.
“He has to rest more [to manage the busy season]. If he’s tired, go to bed early. And he will be ready. Focus 24 hour and you will be ready. Tiredness is always an excuse. I push him to be incredibly more focused. The back room staff help the players. He can be ready.”
That’s Erling told. Still, a fit, rested, refreshed Haaland will be key to City’s chances of getting out of the blocks quickly this season. Guardiola has enough tired players without thinking about a player who hasn’t played since the end of May.
As Haaland left to begin training, he thanked the reporters present. When he got an enthusiastic reply this time, he laughed ‘good response’. And off he went. The Haaland effect.