Erling Haaland: Can Manchester City striker become Premier League’s greatest goal-scorer? | Football News – Times of India
Since joining Manchester City in 2022, Haaland’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary.The 24-year-old striker wasted no time in etching his name into the record books, setting benchmarks that have stunned both fans and pundits alike.
Erling Haaland’s Record-Breaking Feats
Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess is evident in the records he has shattered in just a short span:
- Fastest to 50 Premier League goals: Haaland became the quickest player to reach 50 goals, needing just 48 matches. For context, Andy Cole took 65 games, Alan Shearer 66, Ruud van Nistelrooy 68, and other icons like Mohamed Salah, and
Fernando Torres took 68 and 72 matches, respectively. - Scoring the first two goals of the season: Haaland became the first player to score the opening two goals of a Premier League season, a feat he achieved against Burnley in 2023.
- Goal against every opponent: Haaland has scored against all 23 opponents he has faced in the Premier League, showing his versatility and consistency against a wide range of teams.
- Most goals in a single Premier League season: In his debut campaign, Haaland broke the long-standing record of 34 goals set by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer in 42-game seasons. Haaland scored 36 goals in 35 appearances, setting a new benchmark.
- Most goals in all competitions by a Premier League player: Haaland scored an astonishing 52 goals across all competitions in his debut season for City, surpassing the previous record of 44 goals held by Mohamed Salah (2017/18) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (2002/03).
- More goals than six Premier League clubs: Haaland has already netted 70 Premier League goals, surpassing the all-time totals of clubs like Cardiff (66), Blackpool (55), Huddersfield Town (50), Luton (49), Swindon (47) and Barnsley (37).
- More goals than starts: An incredible statistic—Haaland has scored 70 Premier League goals in just 65 starts, averaging more than a goal per game.
- Most goals in first five games: Haaland’s nine goals in his first five Premier League matches broke the record of eight previously held by Micky Quinn and Sergio Aguero.
- Hat-trick hero: Haaland became the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three consecutive home games. He also became the first Manchester City player to score a hat-trick in the Manchester derby since 1970, before Phil Foden joined him in that exclusive club.
Can Haaland dethrone Shearer?
Alan Shearer, with his 260 Premier League goals, holds the all-time record—a number that has seemed untouchable for nearly two decades. However, Haaland’s blistering start has led many to wonder if the Norwegian sensation could eventually eclipse this legendary figure.
At just 24 years old, and already amassing 70 Premier League goals, Haaland has time on his side. If he maintains his current pace, it’s possible that he could break Shearer’s record within the next six or seven seasons. His ability to find the net in nearly every game, combined with his physical attributes, technical skills, and Manchester City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola, positions him as a real contender to become the league’s greatest scorer.
If Haaland stays fit and continues to grow as a player, his potential seems limitless. The football world will be watching closely to see if the Norwegian phenom can indeed become the greatest goal-scorer the Premier League has ever seen.
