Manchester Metropolis striker Erling Haaland has spoken about the advantages of doing an extended pre-season after affected by the impact of accidents final season.
Haaland nonetheless scored 27 targets to assert a second successive Premier League Golden Boot final season, whereas his tally for Metropolis previous to the 2024/25 marketing campaign stood at 90 in 98 appearances.
However a foot harm compelled him to overlook nearly six weeks throughout December and January, after which he struggled by earlier requirements with a return of 4 targets in his subsequent 9 Premier League video games.
Haaland did not go to Euro 2024 over the summer season, with Norway’s failure to qualify for the match arguably a blessing in disguise as a result of it meant the possibility to get well and work out lingering points.
“It was a great pre-season for me – I’ve by no means felt higher. Usually, I haven’t got any ache in my physique which is the primary time for a very long time,” Haaland defined after marking the opening Premier League sport of the brand new season with a aim in a 2-0 win over Chelsea.
“It is wonderful – you possibly can push your self extra as a result of you do not have one thing at the back of your head. I had an extended pre-season, I loved it.”
Pre-season additionally gave Haaland, now 24 years of age, a possibility to captain Metropolis within the absence of the squad’s senior management group – Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Rodri, Bernardo Silva – within the wake of the European Championship.
“We had quite a lot of younger weapons with us and to be captain was wonderful, I loved it,” he mirrored.
“Now we have one captain within the group however there are such a lot of leaders within the group. It’s possible you’ll not see it, however how calm the defence is and the way a lot confidence they provide us, retaining the ball…we now have quite a lot of leaders on this group and I am so glad to be right here. I’m able to go once more.”