26 April 2023 , 07:44
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Erling Haaland "doesn't care" how many times he touches the ball for Manchester City provided he scores, according to team-mate Bernardo Silva.
The Manchester City playmaker is among those to be servicing the Norwegian this season, which has helped the summer signing score a record 48 goals - with more history now within his sights. Haaland has given City a new dimension this term with Pep Guardiola's side previously playing without a No 9.
There were questions as to how Haaland would fit into the set-up, but he quickly answered those and his rapid rate of scoring has continued throughout the campaign. His numbers are beginning to draw comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whilst his mindset has been compared to the latter.
Silva told Arab News : “The goal figures, it’s unbelievable; it’s Cristiano and Messi level, that amount of goals. Hopefully Erling can keep going that way because we need his goals until the last game of the season. He has definitely got the same mentality as Cristiano, always wanting to be in the box, always wanting to score. He doesn’t care if he touches the ball one or two times, when he touches he scores. He’s just a proper striker.”
Ronaldo's best ever goalscoring season in English football was 42 - which Haaland has already surpassed with several games still to go. The Portuguese star did go on to record even better numbers during his time at Real Madrid however.
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City's marksman, who was signed for a bargain price due to a release clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract, had long shown how potent he could be in front of goal. Haaland has thrived on the Champions League stage but the City stars have still been impressed by the levels he's reached.
Erling Haaland has been lethal in front of goal (Getty Images)Silva added: “We knew what Erling could do before he arrived because he’s been doing that for a few years before he joined us, in Norway, Austria and Germany. We watched him and we played against him, but you never know when he comes here, what level he can get to.
“But what he’s done so far this season has been amazing and we are really happy to have him with us. He’s definitely a special player and he’s helping us very much. I hope he can get even better.”
City's No 20 also hailed the relationship between Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne: “Erling has a special combination with Kevin, who loves those kind of players like Erling. Because when he’s got the ball you need to make runs and Erling is so strong, so quick going in behind. It’s a perfect combination and they are doing so well, as we have seen this season.”