‘Man City would have to replace me’ – Erling Haaland reveals scenario Etihad career would end

Erling Haaland has discussed the scenario in which he would have to leave Manchester City, with pressure heaped on the striker to keep performing at the top level with the club

Erling Haaland has discussed the scenario in which he would have to leave Man City(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))

Manchester City star Erling Haaland has revealed just how much pressure he is under to perform, claiming that if he doesn't keep banging in the goals, then the club will simply have to replace him.

The Norwegian international has been a consistent presence up top ever since his £51m move from Borussia Dortmund back in 2022. That has since seen Haaland pen a new contract until 2034, showing just how much faith he has in the project at the Etihad Stadium, and vice versa.

That put to rest some of the discussions over a possible exit in the near future, with his previous contract set to expire in 2027, though he is still being asked about any potential plans for the future.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Haaland was asked if he maps out his future ahead, to which he said: "I'm not putting any targets [on seasons] because so many things can happen. And that's why I'm trying to take it game by game.

“And if you can take game by game, and of course you want to win every game, help the team, because it’s a team sport, of course."

Erling Haaland was all smiles after Manchester City's 5-4 win over Fulham

Haaland, who has been linked with Real Madrid in the past, then admitted: "But again, as I said before, I’m the striker of City. I have to score goals. If not, they have to replace me.

"Because if I’m not delivering the goals and the things they need, they have to replace me. So there is a lot of pressure on me to deliver, you know, and to do the job.”

So far, he has certainly delivered when it matters, having scored 15 goals in the Premier League already this season, with five in the Champions League.

A large share of City's goals since his arrival have come through Haaland, who has become a lightning rod for their attacking play, with any hope of landing some trophies this season largely falling on his ability to find the back of the net.

While it seems unlikely that the club would replace the 25-year-old for a lack of goals, they have shown a ruthless edge in the past to make sure that the team keep competitive when it really matters.

Julian Alvarez, who was Haaland's competition for a place up front for a while, is a prime example, as he was allowed to leave back in 2024, joining Atletico Madrid despite some previously positive performances.

Given the standards he has set so far, though, there is no expectation that Haaland will show a downturn in form any time soon, with 144 goals scored in 166 appearances for City already.

The striker recently hit the 100 goal tally in the Premier League, breaking Alan Shearer's record for the fastest time to reach that landmark - doing it in just 111 matches, 13 quicker than Shearer.

On the recent achievement, Pep Guardiola said: "When I arrived, if you told me that in 111 games, he scored 100 goals, I'd say, 'Are you sure? In this league?' But he did it. The numbers are insane. Insane.

Pep Guardiola was delighted for Erling Haaland(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

"For sure, he's one of the best. For the strikers, it's a question of numbers, and his numbers have no discussions. You are British, and you bring the best strikers to this country, so Erling is one of them. I am happy for him and happy for the team to deliver this day for him. And let's continue."

Haaland will have Shearer's all-time Premier League record in his sights, which stands at 260, if he plans on sticking around at the Etihad Stadium - which the recent nine-and-a-half-year extension would certainly point towards him doing.