Manchester City's Norwegian bomber, Erling Haaland, has said that the absence of the World Cup in Qatar has motivated him to score more goals in the Premier League. The striker has so far scored 20 goals in 14 games for the "citizens" and returned to action in the English Championship with a double against Leeds at Elland Road.
Haaland commented on Amazon Prime:
"I sat at home, kind of upset that I didn't play in the World Cup. Seeing others score and win matches at the World Cup motivates me, but also somewhat irritates me. I'm hungrier and more ready than ever."
After the match with Leeds, Haaland expressed his happiness not only for the result, but also for the emotional importance of this challenge. The Norwegian has been a Leeds fan in his childhood, as his father, Alfie Haaland, played for both Leeds and Manchester City. The attacker stated:
"I'm happy...it's a really special moment in my career. "Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd be playing at Elland Road and scoring for Manchester City against Leeds."
Coach Guardiola has meanwhile said that Haaland is still not at 100%, hinting that the bomber needed time to recover from the injury received in the challenge against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, in the match played in October. The Spaniard told the media:
"He is still not at his best as he was at the beginning of the season. The injury he suffered against Dortmund has had long-lasting effects. Moving his big body is not easy for him, but the more minutes he plays, the better he will get."
