New boy Erling already 1-0 up!
AS first interviews go, Erling Haaland passed pretty much every test in his first actions as a City player.
He said all the right things, found the right balance between flattery, ambition and keeping grounded, and gave fans just enough to really believe he wants to be at the Etihad.
These unveilings are as much an advertising exercise as anything else.
So Haaland leant into his past links to City, given his dad’s time playing for the club, but didn’t overplay them. When he said ‘I have been a City fan my whole life,’ it wasn’t just the usual platitudes of a player trying to win favour with his new fans. And City must use that to their advantage.
Haaland spoke of attending games at Maine Road, but not necessarily remembering much about them, but was glowing of his memories at the Etihad and said he watches City whenever he can. He spoke to dad Alf Inge about the ins and outs of playing for the club, while admitting the place has completely changed in the 20 years since he was captain.
Of course, Haaland may be exaggerating his support, but the pictures of him at various stages of his childhood back up his comments.
City has always been a part of his life, and now it’s his club. And Haaland’s knowledge of the Blues’ journey in that time can help him hit the ground running.
Because City fans have had a different journey to other supporters. They have seen the club through thick and thin, in the third tier and back. They have a unique sense of humour and face regular taunts that they only watch the team now because it is successful.
Haaland will face similar accusations, so his knowledge of the club and their fans can establish a positive relationship from the start. He’ll be backed by the terraces as long as he puts the work in. In return, he’ll likely score a lot of goals.
When Haaland spoke of enjoying football and being happy as key to playing at his best, City know their fans will help protect him from any external pressures. Unlike other big signings, he won’t have to prove himself to the Blues’ faithful, so can look to get going quickly.
As well as buying into Pep Guardiola’s rigorous demands, players often have to get on board with the us-against-the-world approach in the stands before they can really thrive at City. Haaland has shown he gets the second part, and it shouldn’t take long to master the first part.