ERLING HAALAND admits his sensational start to life at Manchester City has come as no shock to him.
The £51.4million striker says he is thriving under City boss Pep Guardiola because they are both “football freaks”.
Haaland has banged in 12 goals in his first seven matches since his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund — including back-to-back hat-tricks.
He has made the best start in terms of goals of any new arrival in the history of the Premier League.
But the Norway star, 22, told Telemundo Sports: “Of course I’m a bit surprised but it’s not a big shock, no.
“Because I know my own qualities and the good team I’m coming into. There’s so many good team-mates here.
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“It’s a beautiful club with really good people here. I love to be in this stadium and we’ve been having some good moments so far.”
Guardiola said he is enjoying the routine of always being asked about Haaland after matches.
And the former RB Salzburg striker revealed he is happy working for the former Barcelona boss.
Haaland said: “It’s been good as he’s a bit of a football freak, like me.
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“We both love football, he’s crazy about it and that’s something I like.
“He thinks of everything, like how you can do things better and that’s what I like about him.
“It’s a complicated system at City and I’ve been trying to get it as quickly as possible as I cannot waste time doing anything else.”
Haaland admits it feels special to be following in the footsteps of his father Alfie, 49, by playing for City.
He was just a toddler when his old man was lining up at Maine Road around the turn of the century and much has changed at the club since.
Haaland added: “It’s a bit special because he played at City before and now I’m here. I’ve seen old photos of him when he was here and it’s nice to think I play for the same club.
“That was 20 years ago but it is still the same club.
“We have always spoken a lot about football, watching it a lot together and training.
“We have talked here and there about small things and how defenders think compared to strikers.
“We still talk football and that’s nice to have a former footballer as a dad.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
