Phil Foden believes there is only one player in the world who can break Erling Haaland’s Premier League goals record – and that’s the Norwegian striker himself. Haaland enjoyed an incredible first season at City, scoring 36 goals to break the single-season goals record and help his side to a fourth consecutive league crown. Haaland has scored six goals in four league outings this term.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates with teammates Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden after scoring the team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Fulham FC at Etihad Stadium.
Image credit: Getty Images
Phil Foden does not think Erling Haaland’s Premier League goals record will ever be broken, except possibly by the Norwegian striker himself.Haaland scored 36 league goals last season – breaking the single-season goals record that had stood for almost 30 years – as Manchester City surged to a fourth consecutive Premier League title.Andy Cole and Alan Shearer shared the previous record, thanks to their 34-goal hauls achieved in the 1993/94 and 1994/95 seasons respectively, but set in an era of 42-match seasons.
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Haaland – who has been nominated for both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best awards – enjoyed a dream debut season at the Etihad Stadium that coincided with City becoming just the second English team to win the treble, a feat achieved with their maiden Champions League final victory.Haaland’s return of 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions played a huge role in City’s success last season, making a mockery of those who questioned the striker’s suitability to Pep Guardiola’s system.It’s not just supporters who are in awe of what the 23-year-old has already achieved at the club. Foden – two months Haaland’s senior – believes no one will ever come close to matching the striker’s record.
“I love the way he is. I love how he always wants more from himself, he’s not just happy with the way he is, and he’s still so young it’s crazy to say it,” Foden said in an interview with BBC Sport.“And what he did last year, I don’t think we’ll ever see it again to be honest unless he breaks his own record.“He’s so demanding of himself, and if we can find him in those areas, we know he’s always going to be in the right position. He’s got this instinct for goal, it’s just a pleasure to play with someone who’s this good.”When asked if City’s squad go into games with the same expectation of winning that the media and supporters have, Foden admitted that Haaland plays a big role in their mindset.“Without being too arrogant, I think that’s how we have to go into games, knowing that we’re champions,” the England attacker said.“It’s more of a confidence thing, you want to go into a game believing that you’re going to win.https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1702344712059773269?s=20“The players that we’ve got too – like Erling [Haaland], you can go into the game thinking he’s going to score every game. It’s just a nice feeling for us attackers to have a player like that who takes the pressure off you a little bit.”City have made a 100% winning start to their Premier League title defence, winning their opening four games to give them a two-point lead at the top of the table.Guardiola’s side will return to action following the international break with a trip to London to face West Ham on Saturday 16 September.City will begin their quest to win back-to-back Champions League crowns when they welcome Red Star Belgrade to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 19 September (20:00 UK time kick-off), with the match being shown live on TNT Sports.- – -TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+ where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
