Adrian Clarke analyses why Erling Haaland has made such a sensational start to the season with Manchester City.
Player analysis: Erling Haaland (Man City)
Becoming the first Premier League player to score seven goals in the first three matches of a campaign, Haaland has got off to a phenomenal start in 2024/25.
No top-flight team has found the back of the net more often than Man City’s superstar striker, who is currently level pegging with Liverpool and Chelsea for goals scored so far.
Haaland is also the first player to hit a hat-trick in two of a team's first three league matches in English football since Paul Jewell for Bradford City in League 2 in 1994/95.
And providing he stays fit, 24-year-old is firmly on course to land a third successive Golden Boot.
This is a feat which has only ever been achieved by Premier League Hall of Fame legends Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry.
Considering he has scored more than once in 26 per cent of his top-flight appearances for City (18/69), the highest ratio of any player, Haaland has a great opportunity to smash his own best return of 36 Premier League goals in 2022/23.
How has Haaland got off to such a flyer?
Haaland has been unerringly accurate with his shots across the first three matches of the season.
Scoring with half of his efforts, his 50 per cent conversion rate is way in advance of what he produced in the previous two campaigns.
He has also spurned far fewer big chances, with only two of seven such attempts unsuccessful so far.
This means his conversion rate from big chances has leapt from 38.18 per cent last season to 71.43 per cent.
Looking sharp after having the summer off due to Norway not qualifying for UEFA EURO 2024, Haaland’s finishing is lethal at the moment.
Haaland's stats last three seasons
| 22/23 | 23/24 | 24/25 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion rate inc. blocks | 29.27% | 22.31% | 50% |
| Conversion rate exc. blocks | 33.64% | 27.55% | 50% |
| Big chance conversion | 52.54% | 38.18% | 71.43% |
| Shooting accuracy | 56.07% | 60.20% | 71.43% |
Touches of greatness
One aspect of the striker's game that has been on point is the finesse of his touch inside the final third.
At times during 2023/24, he could look cumbersome on the ball, or let chances get away from him with a poor first touch, but this side of his play is much improved.
On the opening weekend, in a 2-0 win at Chelsea, the Norwegian’s fabulous close control inside the box saw him wriggle past two defenders before applying a finish.
The way he set himself up for strikes against Ipswich Town and West Ham United also stood out.
All three of his goals against the Hammers came on the back of an exquisite first touch, but it was the way he cushioned the ball inside Emerson to score his second that impressed most.
In the 4-1 home victory over promoted Ipswich, the manner in which Haaland delicately nodded the ball past the visiting 'keeper, while sprinting at full pace, set him up for an easier finish that it might have been.
In key moments, his technique has been perfect.
Haaland has scored a goal every 8.57 touches so far this season, an extraordinary record.
Often at his most dangerous when it feels like he is drifting out of matches, he has averaged a goal every 22.7 touches in his Premier League career.
Since records began at the start of 2006/07, former Reading striker Adam Le Fondre ranks second, with a goal every 39.2 touches, followed by current attackers Jhon Duran and Alexander Isak, with 47.9 and 48.2 respectively.
Selective movement
Haaland’s run making has also been incredibly bright since the start of 2024/25.
Converting three 1v1s already, all from through-balls he demanded after making dynamic sprints, he is using his speed to great effect.
Statistically, Haaland is making fewer runs than ever (see below), but the selection of his movement has been spot on.
Haaland's runs compared last three seasons
| Per 90 | 22/23 | 23/24 | 24/25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs | 32.84 | 29.85 | 25.43 |
| Runs targeted by a pass | 10.70 | 9.37 | 7.03 |
| Runs into box | 11.54 | 10.63 | 11.04 |
| Runs sprinting | 11.54 | 9.23 | 9.37 |
When you analyse the runs he made prior to scoring this season’s goals, it is impossible not to admire Haaland's awareness of space.
Sensing a high line, and knowing he was in between defenders on each occasion, all he needed was an accurate pass.
Can he be stopped?
Upcoming opponents would certainly be advised not to hold a high line on too many occasions.
Sometimes, especially from turnovers, it can be unavoidable to be caught stranded with space in behind, but in those scenarios, Haaland’s markers must anticipate the danger much earlier.
They can do this by ensuring they stay in close proximity to him at all times.
Man-marking Haaland is perhaps a step too far, but allowing him space to surge into will usually be punished.
No player has ever matched the rate of Haaland’s amazing goal output since the Premier League began, but he remains 190 goals behind Shearer’s record of 260.
Given that he is scoring at a rate of one per match (70 goals in 69 appearances), it will take Haaland three-and-a-half campaigns after this one, playing all 38 matches, to usurp the legendary Newcastle United striker.
If that is deemed unrealistic, it may be possible for Haaland to overtake Shearer within six seasons, based on an average of 32 outings per campaign.
Providing Haaland remains just as prolific, that means he would be around 30 or 31 years old when he becomes the division’s all-time record scorer.
For now, let’s just enjoy a master craftsman at work.
If Haaland maintains his current form, he could easily break the 40-goal barrier this season.
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