Undoubtedly, Erling Braut Haaland has all the prerequisite hallmarks to evolve into City’s first global superstar who will assuredly transcend the game, and be destined for Ballon d’Or glory. All the same, Pep Guardiola has cautioned him to keep his nose to the ground and stay humble.
Despite young Haaland’s gait not being in the fashion of Liam Gallagher or Ian Brown, it is nevertheless the kind of strut they appreciate in Manchester, and appreciably with the Norwegian exuding even more swagger.
This could be due in large part to his formative years having been spent in the city, when his father Alfie-Inge Haaland donned then the familiar sky blue shirt that now appears to be a perfect fit. Yet despite walking the walk, the lad was a lot less willing to talk the talk after scoring the only goal on his Manchester City debut against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, rivals that the former Borussia Dortmund star striker is pretty familiar with.
Even at this early onset it is evident Haaland has all the hallmarks to become City’s first global superstar, someone who transcends the game, and a genuine contender for the Ballon d’Or. But Guardiola spoke afterwards of his £51million capture from Borussia Dortmund to stay humble, like Kevin De Bruyne.
The City boss would have been delighted to see his new No 9 reluctant and having to be forcibly dragged towards the mass of media microphones beckoning to him to be the center of attention.
“How long will this take?” asked Haaland, who wasn’t happy to be told five minutes. “We can make it 10 if you want?” said City’s press officer, which at least elicited a smile.
“It was a good feeling to get started again after six weeks without football,” said Haaland, who had been left out of the opening tour game against Club America to build his fitness.
“I’ve been watching a lot of City games over the last years and they’ve been without a striker so, of course, I’ve been seeing myself in these situations. I’m not surprised I scored.
“It’s good. I have to say the first time winning against Bayern, it was about time after seven losses in a row.
“To beat Bayern feels good and the quality is good. It was a real test before Liverpool in a week.
“I don’t want to speak too much about Dortmund but Guardiola is a bit crazy – and I like that.
“I’ve been training well and I’m ready for what is next.”
With that he was off.
Guardiola spoke about how important it was for players to fit into the team dynamic. Haaland, who turned 22 last Thursday, has gravitated towards the younger members of City’s squad like Cole Palmer, Liam Delap and James McAtee. After beating Bayern there was a hug in the tunnel for Josh Wilson-Ebrand after another impressive tour performance by the teenage full-back.
“If the guys who come are normal people then it’s so easy to integrate with the team,” said Guardiola.
“The group of players in the last few years are more than exceptional. Just take a look.
“Maybe Kevin is the most important that we have. He’s always humble and he’s happy Haaland is here.
“Haaland has been really well. He looks like a really nice guy, down to earth.”
De Bruyne is now the only player left in the City squad who was at the club before Guardiola arrived six years ago.
“It shows I am getting old now,” joked the Belgian, whose link-up with Jack Grealish provided Haaland with his debut goal just four days after his brilliant double sunk Club America in Houston.
“There’s been a lot of change this year and it’s been quite sad because I had good relationships with some of the players who have gone.
“Some of those who have gone will be friends for life and we wish them all the best – apart from when we play them for 90 minutes.
“I’ve been at the club seven years now, Pep has been here six. It’s a long time in football.
“But I’m still very happy with what I’m doing here and hopefully the club is happy with me.
“I’ve been really impressed with the new signings. They all bring a little bit of quality to the squad and seem to have a good rhythm in their game already.
“For Erling it’s been a bit more slow, we’re taking a bit more care of him but the quality is there, you can see that even though he’s only done a few days with us.
“If a striker wants to score goals I will try to help him do that.
“But I think it’s normal for the fans to be excited about him.
“You just look at his track record as a striker and he’s already one of the best in the world.
“If you sign someone like that then there is going to be a lot of expectation but it doesn’t feel like he’s feeling the pressure so far.
“The quality Erling has in front of goal is well known.
“In the first game of the season if he’s there I’m sure everyone will be looking at him.
“But he’s signed for five or six years. I think he’ll score a couple of goals in that time!”