Shearer says Haaland will be targeting 40 goals this season
Alan Shearer fawns over Erling Haaland as he says the Manchester City striker will be targeting FORTY Premier League goals this season after scoring his 19th and 20th in 3-1 win over Leeds
- Erling Haaland scored twice to close the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points
- Rodri had given Manchester City a decisive lead on the stroke of half-time
- Norwegian missed a host of chances but goals proved decisive in second half
- Alan Shearer praised the forward and said that he will be targeting 40 goals
The Premier League’s all-time leading scorer, Alan Shearer, has praised Erling Haaland and said that he will be targeting 40 goals this season.
Haaland, 22, scored his 19th and 20th goals of the season after Rodri had given them the lead on the stroke of half-time on Wednesday night as Manchester City brushed aside Leeds United to close the gap on leaders Arsenal to five points.
Speaking on Amazon Prime after the game, Shearer fawned over the Norwegian as he joked with his fellow pundits that his scoring record of 260 goals would be gone as long as Haaland stayed in England.
Erling Haaland bagged his 19th and 20th goals of the season in comprehensive Manchester City victory over Leeds
Having watched Haaland miss a host of chances in the first half – he admitted afterwards that he felt he could have had ‘five’ on the night – Shearer praised his mentality to come back and secure an easy three points for his side.
‘He missed a few chances on the night, one was in the first couple of minutes,’ Shearer said.
‘He offers you almost everything – he can get the tap ins. There’s not many weaknesses, but he’ll look at it tonight and be disappointed at the chances he squandered.
The striker scored twice but could have bagged as many as five goals on Wednesday evening
After missing a couple of chances, Haaland eventually found the net in the second half
‘I said it before a ball was kicked this season, I think a good centre forward will get 20 goals, and a fantastic centre forward – which he is… He will have a figure in his head and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s got a four in front.’
‘I love his hunger and desire. I love that attitude,’ he added.
‘If you want to build the perfect centre forward from scratch, he is it. There isn’t anything he’s not good at. At worst, if he’s fit, he’ll be getting 40 goals. The ability he has around him and his own ability. He’ll get my record if he stays,’ Shearer had said prior to the game.
Eni Aluko, on punditry duty alongside Shearer, agreed and described him as a ‘goal machine’, while praising his team-mates for the opportunities they provide him.
‘He’s a goal machine. That ball there in the first half – he’s not even looking, Kevin De Bruyne,’ Aluko said. ‘He has to believe in this team he can score as many goals as he possibly can.’
Alan Shearer, Eni Aluko and Nedum Onuoha all foisted praise upon Erling Haaland after his performance
Haaland, having spoken to Amazon Prime, showed his knowledge and love of the game by declaring himself ‘triggered’ at having seen other players ‘score goals and win games’ at the World Cup, which Norway did not qualify for.
Nedum Onuoha, a former City player, praised the forward for his desire to keep improving.
‘He understands the history of the league – what set me off was his World Cup chat. To be watching that means he loves football, he loves the game. He’s only 22, he’s got so much time to develop,’ he said.
Haaland also came in for praise from players and managers, with Jesse Marsch declaring the forward one of his ‘favourite’ players to watch owing to his insatiable want to score goals.
‘He has an uncanny ability to know where to be and a hunger to score goals like nobody I’ve ever seen,’ Marsch said. ‘When you have them in a team it’s infectious.’
Pep Guardiola will be pleased to see his side earn a comfortable win on their top flight return
Asked whether or not it makes City his title favourites, the Leeds coach responded: ‘It makes Haaland one of my fav players.’
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, praised his ‘humbleness’ after the game – telling Shearer and his colleagues that he is an ‘exceptional guy’.
‘I’m so upset (about his missed chances). Alan’s record is impossible. We are delighted for how humble he is – he came with a big reputation. He’s completely opposite – exceptional guy and he has a great work ethic.’
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