As Erling Haaland gears up for a Champions League homecoming with Borussia Dortmund this week, Pep Guardiola predicted on Tuesday that the in-form striker would become even more productive once he adjusts to life at Manchester City.
On Wednesday, Haaland will take on his old team for the first time since moving to City in a $58 million (£51 million) trade during the offseason.
After a stellar debut in which Haaland scored 12 goals in just eight games for the Premier League champions, that price already seems reasonable.
The Norwegian has 25 goals in just 20 Champions League appearances after scoring twice in last week’s demolition of Sevilla, and he will be hoping to add to that impressive total when Dortmund visit the Etihad Stadium.
While Haaland’s recent success has delighted Guardiola, he has cautioned the rest of Europe as his young star is still developing and has not yet reached the pinnacle of his abilities.
Guardiola Expecting More From Haaland Despite Form Ahead Of Dortmund Match:
Haaland’s attitude and predatory finishing have impressed City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, a former player for Dortmund. After several close calls in the Champions League, City is hopeful that Haaland will be the missing piece.
Jude Bellingham, an English midfielder for Dortmund, acknowledged that there is no surefire technique to neutralise Haaland, who scored 86 goals in his 89 appearances for the German club.
He remarked that the club had done a lot for him, made him feel incredibly welcome, and given him chances to grow. It would be insulting to look ahead and past that.
Bellingham’s stellar performance since moving from Birmingham to Dortmund has sparked rumours of a transfer to the Premier League, but the 19-year-old is dismissing the talk.