Erling Haaland has ageing Championship striker to thank for his Man City heroics

Erling Haaland has raised the bar in English football since completing his switch to Manchester City last year. Fresh from setting a new record for goals in a single Premier League campaign, the Norwegian is already racking them up this term, and time spent studying the movements of Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy may have had its own part to play.

Before his £51million transfer from Borussia Dortmund to the Etihad Stadium was finalised, Haaland admitted that he had been watching videos of Premier League strikers in order to strengthen his game.

Rather than investing time into the likes of Harry Kane or Mohamed Salah, the youngster cited Vardy as a source of guidance when it came to running in behind the last line of defence.

“I’ve been watching a lot of players,” Haaland told Sky Sports. “Let’s take an example, the run in behind the centre-back when the number 10 has the ball. You maybe have the best in the world at that in Jamie Vardy, I’ve been looking a lot at him on exactly this.”

“I’ve been watching a lot of players. Let’s take an example, the run in behind the centre-back when the number 10 has the ball. You maybe have the best in the world at that in Jamie Vardy, I’ve been looking a lot at him on exactly this.”

Haaland singling Vardy out came as a surprise to many, and the long-serving Leicester ace managed only three Premier League goals last season. The 36-year-old went down to the Championship with the Foxes, where he looks set to remain for the campaign ahead.

Vardy was one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League in his pomp, racking up seven consecutive seasons of hitting double figures. Set to turn 37 in January, the former England striker’s best days are now behind him.

Man City coach Juanma Lillo, who has been standing in for the recovering Pep Guardiola in recent weeks, has described Haaland as a natural threat up top. “This guy was born scoring goals and he will go through his whole life scoring goals,” he said.

“It would be no surprise if he manages to get the same figures as last year but it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t. I’m more impressed by other figures as well, not just where he ends up in the scoring charts. I always looked at his intelligence as well as his scoring stats.”