Erling Haaland looms ominously over the 24/25 season as he has started the season in scintillating form | OneFootball

As Manchester City cruised past Ipswich Town yesterday at the Etihad it appears that Erling Haaland is looming ominously over the 24/25 season. City’s star striker looks fully fit after a well-earned rest this summer. A rested and fit and firing Haaland is arguably the most damaging weapon in the Premier League. That has become apparent during City’s wins over Chelsea and Ipswich Town.

After scoring against Chelsea the scene was set for Erling Haaland to make a mark against Ipswich Town. The newly promoted side would have their hands full in containing Haaland and City’s vast array of attacking options. To their credit, they did take an early lead in the 7th minute through Sam Szmodics. But that goal only fired up Pep Guardiola’s side. Three goals in four minutes from the champions effectively ended the Tractor Boys’ resistance. Erling Haaland scored in the 12th and 16th minutes. Kevin De Bruyne scored City’s second in the 14th minute. City’s star striker would complete his hat trick in the 88th minute with a rocket from outside the box. By the time Haaland was substituted late in proceedings he had shown he is looming large over this season.

While Erling Haaland would’ve been disappointed to not feature at the European Championships with Norway, that rest has done him the world of good. He looks sharp, fit, and hungry for goals. That is a bad sign for City’s rivals. But it is a great sign for the world champions. 4 goals in 2 Premier League games is a great starting point for Haaland to launch into a new season.

Speaking after his team’s 4-1 win Pep Guardiola acknowledged that rest this summer had helped his star striker. He told the media: “I said a few weeks ago he feels better than previous seasons. He struggled to handle it, maybe not too much holidays. I remember at the beginning, he said I’m tired; I’m a little drained. This season with no Euros and relaxed, he arrived really well. When there is something wrong, always there is something coming that is positive. When you have a defeat, take the positive and move forward. He would have loved to have gone to Euros with Norway. It was not the case. Okay, relax, play good this season and try to help Norway qualify for the next tournament.”

Pep Guardiola also had special praise for Erling Haaland. After scoring 94 goals in 101 appearances for Manchester City the City boss compared his goal scoring to that of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Guardiola added: “He can compete in terms of goals with Ronaldo and Messi. The numbers are incredible for his age. He’s an incredible threat for us and we’re really happy to have him. Hopefully, he can be here for many years. That would be really good for us. You know how important he is. The numbers, scoring goals is unbelievable.”

Erling Haaland is looming large over the 24/25 season. His start to the new season is evidence of this fact. If he can continue his strong start to the new campaign in the coming months there is no telling how many goals he can score for Manchester City this season. Four goals in two games is a fast start for any striker the fact that it’s Erling Haaland that has started so quickly this season is a frightening proposition for Manchester City’s rivals.