Manchester City want even more out of one of their key players | OneFootball

When drawing up a list of the most important players at Manchester City Erling Haaland would be near the very top. Haaland’s goals and presence are crucial to City’s play. At his best, he is a wrecking ball capable of striking fear into Manchester City’s opponents. Heading into the 25/26 season there is plenty of room for improvement in Haaland’s game.

Now a new report from Simon Bajkowski for Manchester Evening News indicates that Manchester City want more out of Haaland. If they can get more out of their star striker then Pep Guardiola’s side will be a tough proposition for their opponents next season.

Manchester City want even more out of Erling Haaland next season.

It has been reported by Simon Bajkowski that Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City hierarchy are hoping to get even more out of Erling Haaland next season. Bajkowski reports that City want to see more from Haaland in terms of his performances. Furthermore, Bajkowski reports that City wants to see Haaland contribute more as a leader. The Norwegian international has been included in Manchester City’s captaincy group for the 25/26 season. Lastly, Bajkowski reports that Haaland understands what is being demanded from him by Pep Guardiola.

Erling Haaland can contribute more than just goals and assists to Manchester City’s overall play.

How Manchester City can get more out of Erling Haaland isn’t simply a matter of scoring more goals and contributing more assists. Haaland scored goals better than any other striker in world football. Of course Haaland could set up more for his teammates. But that isn’t his primary job. Scoring goals is his forte and he does that better than anyone else. The Norwegian international does spend a lot of games on the periphery of proceedings. But that is the life of a striker. What Haaland excels at is taking his chances and he will always put those away when they are presented.

But looking at how Manchester City can get more out of Haaland there are areas where he can inspire his team. As a leader it is now Haaland’s job to lead Manchester City’s defensive press from the front. He is more than capable of doing so. In terms of intimidating figures in football, Haaland is one of the biggest. If he can lead the press in a meaningful fashion that will add more to his game. His team will benefit from Haaland’s workrate. No one is expecting Haaland to be Julian Alvarez in this regard. But when he is up for the fight out of possession, his team follows. That’s why Pep Guardiola has made Haaland a leader. It’s something he can do and do well. That’s one area where City can get more out of Haaland.

Getting more out of Erling Haaland isn’t a matter of seeing him score or assist more. It’s a matter of Haaland learning just how vital and dangerous presence he is in any game. Whether that’s out of possession or doing what he does best. If Manchester City’s number nine grasps this aspect of the game he will become an even better player. That is how Pep Guardiola will get even more out of Erling Haaland. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Haaland take his game to another level next season. How that looks is just one of many fascinating layers of City’s 25/26 campaign to monitor.