Manchester City are currently preparing for the new Premier League season.
The 25/26 campaign is one of the more interesting ones regarding City in recent years, as it is one of the rare times when Pep Guardiola’s men are not considered favourites for the title.
Didi Hamann has questioned whether Guardiola can win another major trophy with Man City, which shows just how far the Manchester club are being underestimated heading into the new Premier League campaign.
A lot of City’s players underperformed last season, and as a result, Troy Deeney thinks one “remarkable” star could be getting overlooked ahead of things getting underway this weekend.
Troy Deeney working as a pundit during Coventry City v Middlesbrough.
Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
No one is talking about Erling Haaland
Last season was an underwhelming one for Erling Haaland as the Norwegian star suffered with injuries and with his form, yet the 25-year-old still netted 22 times in the Premier League.
With a lot of talk around Alexander Isak this summer, while Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract with Premier League favourites Liverpool, Deeney suggests that Haaland may be going under the radar ahead of the 25/26 campaign getting underway this weekend.
Season Games Goals Assists Minutes
24/25 48 34 5 4041
23/24 48 38 7 3745
22/23 53 52 9 4131
Erling Haaland’s Man City career
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“As I alluded to earlier, I think we’ve been speaking about the striker situation for probably since about April, and no one’s really talking about Haaland,” the pundit said on Premier League All Access.
“I think because City had a bit of a down year and, you know, he’s been injured, he’s been kind of quiet as well, isn’t he, from the social media point of view. I think he’s actually remarkable, mate.
“And when we talk about having a bad season, he scored 30 odd goals. That’s just when you have to put it into perspective that it’s frightening the numbers that he does put up.”
One man who isn’t doubting the Man City superstar is Joe Cole, who has backed Haaland to win the Golden Boot this season, but the former Chelsea star is only one of a few.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City v Al-Hilal at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Question marks around Manchester City
The main reason Haaland is not being talked about is likely due to all the noise around Liverpool this summer, who have been tipped by many to win the Premier League again ahead of the new season.
Deeney believes there are a lot of questions around Man City heading into the upcoming campaign, which is why the Reds are above the Manchester club in the eyes of many.
“No one’s really spoken about Man City. That’s the first time in about eight years that we haven’t spoken about them as the favourites or even been there. We’re actually still not sure what type of midfield they’re going to have,” Deeney said about Guardiola’s side.
“So loads of question marks around Man City. But I actually think there are quite a few people, with it being a World Cup year, they’ll be bang up for it and will be wanting to prove that they are still world-class players.”
If Man City are to win the Premier League this season, they will need Haaland at his 2022/23 level. Rayan Cherki plans on helping the striker achieve this, as it remains to be seen how all the pieces fit together at the Etihad Stadium.