Is there a higher level for a Manchester City striker to reach next season? | OneFootball

Since arriving at Manchester City Erling Haaland has scored 124 goals in 146 appearances. He has also added 21 assists in those matches. Those are superb numbers. In fact, Erling Haaland makes goal scoring look so simple at times that his brilliance is often overlooked. But looking ahead to the 25/26 season can Manchester City’s number nine hit a higher level as a player? That prospect is a real possibility as Haaland’s evolution as a player should continue as he enters his peak years.

Erling Haaland has committed his future to Manchester City and the challenge is there for him to progress as a player.

Last season Erling Haaland signed a lucrative contract extension with Manchester City. He signed a contract extension until 2034. With that contract extension comes the expectation that Haaland will become the face of Manchester City. That is part of the territory that comes with Haaland signing such a contract. But on top of that, it is expected that Haaland will further develop as a player. There is nothing to suggest that Haaland’s development as a player won’t continue. He is too driven and hungry to succeed not to further hone his craft. But if he can reach a higher level as a player during the 25/26 season, Manchester City may have the most lethal weapon in football at their disposal.

If Haaland takes his game to another level it could spell trouble for Manchester City’s rivals.

To put the standards that Erling Haaland reaches with relative ease he scored 31 goals last season in 44 appearances. That was considered an average season for City’s number nine. Typically, 31 goals for a striker is a superb number. But for Erling Haaland that is considered just an average season. If Haaland tops those numbers, he could be looking at 40-plus goals next season, provided that he stays fit. That’s to be expected if Haaland takes his chances and is provided with the service he needs to thrive.

But the possibility of Erling Haaland improving his overall game does exist. Whether he is more involved in City’s build-up play, pressing with more intensity out of possession or doing both and scoring goals, Haaland has another level to reach as a player. That is the challenge for him. Hit another level and become an even more dangerous proposition for Manchester City’s opponents. At 25 years of age, Haaland is reaching his prime years so the best should be ahead of the Norwegian international.

Given what he has achieved so far in his career the prospect of Haaland growing as a player is a tantalising prospect for everyone associated with Manchester City. That’s the challenge for Haaland for next season. Go up another level as a player. If Haaland can do that the sky is the limit for what he and his team can achieve going forward.