Erling Haaland said missing out on the World Cup was “maddening and tempting” and that it was “quite crazy”, after becoming the first player to score 20 Premier League goals before January in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Leeds. Elland Road.
The summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, who failed to qualify for Qatar 2022 with Norway, has scored three goals in two games for City since club football resumed after the six-week World Cup shutdown.
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By scoring his 20th Premier League goal in just his 14th league game for City, Haaland became the fastest player in Premier League history to reach the 20-goal mark.
After the win against his hometown Leeds — Haaland said that having to watch the World Cup from home motivated him to do better for City.
“I was at home, a bit mad that I didn’t make it to the World Cup,” Haaland said. “I recharged my batteries.
“Watching other people score runs to win matches at the World Cup inspired and angered me. I’m hungrier and more ready than ever.
“Honestly, I get really p—-d [when I miss a chance],” Holland said. “That’s the truth. But when I miss I want to score more points. That’s the funny thing — when I score one, it’s a great feeling that I want to score another goal, so that’s positive.”
No player has scored 40 goals in a Premier League season — Alan Shearer and Andy Cole hold the record with 34 together — but Haaland is now on course to break that barrier. He emphasized that he has a target goal for this season but will keep it private until it is reached.
“I have a goal, but I can’t say it,” Haaland said. “I said in the dressing room I could have scored five points, but the most important thing is we won.
“For me, as a striker, I have to score more. I could have scored a few more, but that’s life, I have to train more.”
Haaland refused to celebrate every time he scored at Elland Road. The 22-year-old was born in Leeds when his father Alfie played for the team and Earling said the club holds a special place in his love.
“My father and mother were on the jury today,” Holland said. “It’s special. I’m happy — it’s a special moment in my career.
“When I was young I had an Eirik Bakke shirt and my dad’s jersey in my room. In my wildest fantasy, I couldn’t imagine being at Elland Road and scoring for Manchester City against Leeds.”
