If you’re looking for the best football player under 22, you’ve probably already heard of Erling Haaland. The 22-year-old has already scored 20 goals in 24 UEFA Champions League matches and has the best goal scoring average in the history of the Bundesliga. He’s also Manchester City’s first ‘Galactico’ and one of the most productive scorers in the world.
Erling Haaland has scored 20 goals in 24 games in the UEFA Champions League
It’s hard to believe that a player can reach 20 goals in such a short period of time, but it’s possible, especially when you consider that Haaland only began his career with Manchester United in 2002. In that season, he scored four goals in as many games and broke several records in the process. In addition to that, he became the first player to score a brace in four consecutive Champions League games. He scored a brace against Club Brugge at home, as did Kylian Mbappe, and ended up scoring a hat trick against Sevilla in the first leg of the round of 16 in September.
Haaland became the fastest player to reach 20 goals in the Champions League by scoring twice against Sevilla on Tuesday. He did so after Marco Reus’ cross in the 35th minute. The Norwegian surpassed Harry Kane’s record of 20 goals in 24 matches, which had stood since 2004. He also became the youngest player to reach 20 goals in the Champions League before reaching the age of 21.
He has the best UEFA Champions League goal-scoring average in Bundesliga history
Erling Haaland has the best Ligue 1 goal-scoring average of all time, and has arguably had the most impact in Europe. In the last two seasons, Haaland has scored over one goal in every four Bundesliga games. He has been a key part of Borussia Dortmund’s recent title success, and is a key member of Pep Guradiola’s Manchester City squad.
The Norwegian striker is a pure goal-scorer at the highest level and averages 0.85 expected goals per game in the Bundesliga. Although he’s not a Golden Boy, Haaland’s performance in the Champions League is simply amazing. Haaland is a physical beast who has no taste for losing. His pace and strength allow him to beat his opponents with ease and push them over, and his leaps are enough to leave most defenders dead in the air. Haaland can finish from just about anywhere in the box, and his shots are the highest of any German player ever in the Champions League.
In the second leg against Sevilla on 9 March, Haaland scored twice, advancing Dortmund to the quarterfinals 5-4 on aggregate. The two goals made Haaland the fastest player to reach 20 goals in the Champions League, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane, who both reached the same milestone in 24 games. But Haaland is not finished. He’s not done yet: he has reached double figures in the Champions League, too, having already scored in the group stage against Manchester City and in the round of 16.
He is Manchester City’s first ‘Galactico’
During his time with Atletico Madrid, Haaland scored 101 goals in 234 appearances. This record is now second only to Sergio Aguero’s 107. Manchester City’s ‘Galactico’ is expected to play a central role in the team. Haaland’s signing will give the club a new center-forward to build around. Haaland will have to adapt his style of play to Guardiola’s philosophy.
The Norwegian international has finally signed for Manchester City. Earlier this summer, Manchester City had reportedly made four summer signings. Erling Haaland was one of them. He was linked with Manchester United, but opted to sign for the Citizens. The Norwegian defender also admitted to owning a shirt of Sergio Aguero, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
When it comes to attacking players, Haaland was a major target for a number of European clubs. After all, he has five goals and four assists in all competitions, and is an ideal project for Guardiola. Although the Norwegian is unlikely to become a ‘Galactico’, his presence could prove a deciding factor for other players.
He is one of football’s top scorers
The Norwegian forward has already surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the top goalscorer in Europe at the age of 22. The former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City striker has already scored more than 140 goals for his club and country before his 22nd birthday. At 22, Haaland is still a young man, but he has already made an impact with his speed and accuracy.
The 21-year-old made his Champions League debut on Sept. 17 against Genk. As a teenager, Haaland became the first Norwegian to score in five consecutive Champions League games. The following season, he was the top scorer in the competition. In addition to his European exploits, Haaland has represented Norway at multiple youth levels and won the Golden Boot at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made his senior international debut in September 2019.
Haaland’s high-head makes him an excellent finisher. His header rate is among the highest in the Premier League this season, with 19% of his centre-forward goals coming from headers. The only issue with Haaland’s header rate is that he hasn’t shown much improvement in his cross-field game, but he is a great passer.
He is a Guardiola project
Manchester City are second in the Premier League table, three points behind Chelsea. Guardiola has been frustrated by the lack of a pure finisher in his squad. Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Braut Haaland has been linked with the club. Haaland’s name has been linked with the Premier League club due to his performances in the Bundesliga. If he is interested in joining Manchester City, the City hierarchy should do their homework before signing the Norwegian international.
Despite the lack of clarity about Guardiola’s future plans, the Norwegian coach has been linked with Real Madrid. However, a transfer to Manchester City is not likely to disrupt City’s wage structure. The club will be able to pay for the Norwegian in instalments. Guardiola’s contract runs out in June 2023 and a new deal is expected. Soriano has said that a new deal will be reached shortly.
The Norwegian has spoken to Guardiola over the phone for around 20 minutes. He answered a series of questions from Haaland and will have a training ground discussion with him to work out the best way to fit in at City. Guardiola’s initial plan for Haaland isn’t complex. The Norwegian midfielder will be asked to adapt his game to suit the new shape and style of City’s team.
He is playing in a ‘top five’ league
A new Norwegian international is catching the eye with his impressive goal scoring record. Haaland is on pace to be one of the best goalscorers in Europe and is set to join Premier League side Arsenal. The forward has scored 81 goals since the start of the season. In three seasons with Dortmund, he has surpassed his goal total. Haaland is currently the third highest goal scorer in the ‘top five’ league in Europe.
Although his career has been plagued by injury, Haaland has scored the goals when he needs them. But in spring 2021, he went on a seven-game goal drought – the longest goalless run of his career. Meanwhile, Barcelona plan to keep on Ousmane Dembele, who is set to reach the league’s top five with ten goals. While Liverpool are a long way from the ‘top five’, the Norwegian’s future is far from over.
As a teenager at FC Salzburg, Haaland scored 29 goals in 27 games. Then he signed a contract with the Bundesliga side Dortmund during the winter break of the 2019-20 season. He has scored 50 league goals for Dortmund and contributed with 23 assists. In addition, he has one assist in the German Cup and Supercup. Despite his age and shaky injury record, Haaland has managed to stay on top in the Bundesliga, where he has become a fan favorite.
He has won multiple editions of the competition
Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has won multiple edition of the competition, including the most recent one in 2012. His pace and agility have remained unmatched for the duration of his career, and he is arguably the most effective attacking player in the competition’s history. His imposing physique and speed allow him to create terror for his opponents even with his back to goal. While he has yet to win the Champions League, he has already earned himself a place in City’s attacking plans.
Despite his youth, Haaland has been one of the most prolific players in the competition. His 86 goals in 89 competitive matches at BVB, the most by a Norwegian, is an incredible feat. Haaland has scored 155 senior goals in 203 appearances for club and country – a figure that surpasses that of Lewandowski, who had scored 39 in 89 matches at the same age.
A few days after winning the Norwegian national championship, Haaland addressed the stadium and told fans to enjoy the competition. He also said that the pre-season cannot pass quickly enough. He is looking forward to the competitive action, which is real time. A moment like that can’t come fast enough. The crowd at the Westfalenstadion is notorious for its loud celebrations. Haaland’s goal is perhaps the best of his career, and the first of many he will score this season.
