Erling Haaland has been in sensational form for club and country this season but the Manchester City striker is facing a gruelling 12 months ahead
Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, interacts with Erling Haaland after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Bournemouth
Erling Haaland could easily play 70 games in 12 months and that could mean Pep Guardiola has to make a decision at Manchester City
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Erling Haaland is a player who starts matches and scores goals. It's a pattern that has been consistent this season. And many others.
The 25-year-old has been in phenomenal form for both his club, Manchester City, and country, after leading Norway to their first World Cup in a generation this week. Haaland netted four goals in the final two qualifying matches, helping Norway maintain a perfect record and secure a place in North America next summer.
Italy were the latest team put to the sword by the phenomenon. Two goals in a 4-1 win put the final nail in the coffin of Sandro Tonali & Co's hopes of automatic qualifiaction.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in Haaland's career. The City star will now lead his country's campaign across the Atlantic, but not before six months of intense club football.
City are showing potential as challengers both domestically and internationally, with Haaland playing a crucial role. His goals, overall game, and leadership qualities have shaped the new-look City side, making him an indispensable force at the forefront of the attack.
He has only missed two matches - both Carabao Cup ties against lower league teams - and is rarely substituted before the final moments of the games he does play.
Haaland has clocked more minutes on the pitch than any other City player this term and, if things go according to plan for both club and country, he could easily surpass 70 games in 12 months from Club World Cup to actual World Cup.
This incredible workload and the resulting statistics led his City teammate Rodri to suggest player strikes last year. The physical and mental toll on Haaland will be significant in the coming months, particularly during the World Cup.
With Haaland's natural backup Omar Marmoush potentially missing 10 matches over December and January due to international duty for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, there seems to be no clear opportunity to give Haaland a break from a top flight or Champions League match in the near future.
This all contributes to a heavy burden on the striker's shoulders. Pep Guardiola has already stated that he has no plans to rest his star player. Haaland - much to the dismay no doubt of Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and his back four - will line up from the start at St James' Park on Saturday.
"I'm so sorry for my colleague Stale Solbakken from the national team of Norway but I'm not thinking about that. Maybe at the end when we win the Premier League 10 points in front and 10 fixtures from the end he'll take a rest," Guardiola quipped earlier this month.
For his part, Haaland is in the best form and physical condition of his life and has rarely been injured since moving to Manchester. However, he's about to face a year unlike any other, and while he may well continue until the summer, there is certainly a possibility or worry that everything might catch up with him by next season.
This question was brought up on the Talking City podcast this week with Alex James and Tyrone Marshall, who cover Man City for Chronicle Live's
"Is there a risk here that whether this season or early next season, everything catches up with him?" James asked.
"There will be a mental pressure of being a figurehead for Norway and everything that comes with that. And he's part of the City leadership team, and I know he is an experienced player, but he won't have had anything like this before.
"He doesn't look like any of that phases him though," Marshall said. "Physically he looks, touch wood, indestructible at the moment. His fitness record at City is incredible. I think he's going to more than 70 games this season but I guess if City win the Carabao Cup he's unlikely to play and you almost say 'don't get involved in that competition.'".
"You have seen Guardiola rest and rotate everyone, apart from Haaland.
"It does present a scenario of where Haaland plays 70 odd games and maybe we will see the impact of that next season."
Guardiola is aware this could become an issue. However, the immediate priority is Haaland's current form, and that consideration may well override any concerns about the future. Any hopes Newcastle have of not facing the Premier League's greatest goalscorer this weekend will be dashed.