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Erling Haaland surprised kids at Manchester Childrens Hospital this week and Manchester City are enjoying surprising people this season
Christmas has come early for Erling Haaland as Manchester City. As Pep Guardiola's side look to continue their push for the top of the Premier League table, their star striker is already thankful for the presents that have already arrived at the Etihad.
City bosses knew they had to act last winter as the team slumped form one disastrous week to the next amid an injury crisis, and the rebuild that Pep Guardiola hadn't thought necessary began in January. Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez were the headline arrivals in a £175m January splurge that galvanised the team to secure Champions League football for this season.
Another statement followed in summer, with Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli coming before the Club World Cup alongside an overhaul of Guardiola's backroom staff, before James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma followed. As important, Guardiola intervened with the captaincy decision for the first time to install Bernardo Silva as his new leader.
Despite a few wobbles, City have emerged as serious title contenders. They are getting stronger every week and in addition to having Haaland feeling in the best shape of his life with 23 goals from 21 starts, the new signings are starting to make their mark; Gonzalez has become undroppable, Donnarumma sits next to Haaland when the team travel and Cherki is beginning to be decisive in games.
It has all contributed to a shift in mood around the City Football Academy where the despair and helplessness that engulfed the squad last December has been replaced by the optimism that a stronger group can once again realise the ambition of the club to win trophies every year. Even if Arsenal have been the best team so far, the Blues are confident enough after six straight wins that they feel they don't need to be distracted by what anybody else is doing.
“When new players and staff come in, it always brings fresh energy, and you can feel that. At the same time, you have to be patient because adapting to how we play takes time," he told the Manchester Evening News. "I think all the new signings have fitted in really well and contributed already, which says a lot. That’s important for us as a team and it makes us stronger.
“You could really feel it during the Club World Cup — the time together was important. We fight for each other and we stick together, and that’s how it has to be if you want to be successful. The feeling is good, the energy is there, but now it’s about keeping it and pushing every day.
“The level in the Premier League is so high every season. Every team can take points, so you can’t relax for one second. For me it’s not about chasing other teams — it’s about doing our own job better every game. If you spend too much time looking at others, you lose focus on yourself, and that’s never good.”
Haaland was one of a number of City players to visit Manchester Children's Hospital this week as part of the annual mission from City in the Community to help spread some cheer at what can be a difficult time of year. City's No.9 was a welcome sight at the hospital - not least because he wasn't in disguise as Santa Claus as he was on his Youtube channel - and spent over an hour visiting patients, signing gifts and playing games with the kids.
A total of 1,366 gifts that had been donated from funds raised by the men's squad were given out to children who will be in hospital over the festive period. That is part of the wider Christmas, Together programme run by the charity that has included gifts, community events and more than £150,000 raised that will help over 250 families and young people with their physical and mental health. A lunch for senior citizens and a party for toddlers are among the free events that have been organised at the club this month as well.
Haaland has been happier at City this season with the improvement in his own performances, but also with the lift in those around him. While nobody is likely to catch him for goals this season, Phil Foden has shot up with six in his last four league games to revive the form that saw him named the best player in England in the 2023/24 campaign.
The pair have plenty in common - City fans, the same age, world-class footballers and with the ability to lift everyone when they are at their best. With smiles on their faces this season, they are helping the drive at the Etihad to try to ensure the hard work they have put in and will continue to means they can have more celebrations when the time comes for trophies to be won.
“Phil has been incredible and I’m really happy for him," added Haaland. "Everyone knows how much quality he has — that’s why he’s won what he’s won. I love playing with him. You can see he just enjoys football so much, and I’m the same. When you play with a smile and enjoy it, usually it means you’re playing good football — and that’s what he’s doing.
"We’re in a good moment and we had a good week, but for us it’s always about consistency. We know we still have a lot to improve and that has to be the focus. When you play for Manchester City there are no excuses — you have to win and you have to fight for trophies. That’s what we’re here for and that’s what we push each other to do every day."
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