The transfer everyone has been talking about this summer saw Erling Haaland switch from the Bundesliga to the Premier League. Manchester City are the new home of the Norwegian sensation, and the striker has already got down to business by bagging a brace on his debut, putting himself in pole position to be the league’s top marksman.
There’s never been any doubt about how good of a striker Haaland is or how good he could go on to become, bearing in mind he’s only in his early twenties. However, one of the arguments against the former Borussia Dortmund hitman was that his style might not suit his new employers or the Premier League. But, after getting on the scoresheet twice against West Ham, it’s no wonder he’s priced as a favourite to be the top scorer in 2022/23. This is the case across the board, from the most experienced bookmakers, all the way to those new sportsbetting services, from the likes of established online gaming service PartyCasino.
All eyes were very much on the London Stadium and Haaland as he made his debut for Pep Guardiola’s team, and it was evident early on that the Norwegian was becoming frustrated with the lack of service in behind, which he often feeds off of. However, as soon as the chance to do so emerged, Erling Haaland burst into life past West Ham’s Ben Johnson, and moved the ball away from the clutches of Alphonse Areola, who had just replaced Lukasz Fabianksi in goal and was felled. Of course, Haaland calmly dispatched the resulting penalty to get off the mark.
Off the mark in the @premierleague! #ManCity pic.twitter.com/gXpNP9Djl1
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 7, 2022
And, to wrap up the 2-0 victory, Haaland again made a run in behind after a defence-splitting pass by Kevin de Bruyne. He didn’t even need to take a touch, letting the ball do the work for him before arcing his body to guide the ball beyond a well-beaten Areola for the second time. It was a finish that oozed class. And, it was the type of pass that you’re going to expect to see more of as the season progresses. Erling Haaland may not always be in games, but he only needs a chance to use his acceleration to wreak havoc. Haaland also played contributor in City’s 4-0 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Gameweek 2.
.@KevinDeBruyne @ErlingHaaland#ManCity pic.twitter.com/QbSBOKozCC
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 7, 2022
It’s arguably why you could suggest he is the man in pole position to be the Premier League’s top scorer this season. You see, there were elements of frustration, and Haaland wasn’t really getting the chances. But then he just appears to burst into life on-demand when it counts. And this makes all the difference. You could suggest it’s what Man City have been lacking, that player they can rely on in those game-changing and potentially game-winning moments.
Of course, Erling is going to face stiff competition from the likes of Mo Salah, Harry Kane and Gabriel Jesus, but he has all the attributes to do the business. He has the goal record to back it up. And he’s also proven that he’s more than capable of delivering, against a good side such as West Ham, in his first ninety minutes, which is quite remarkable but not necessarily surprising.
