We are going to see a tremendous amount of casual fans tune into City matches from next season onwards just to check what that blonde Norwegian striker from the World Cup is up to. Haaland has grabbed global attention like no one else. And City will further benefit.
Looks like Txiki’s greatest final act at Manchester City was getting Erling Haaland on a 10 year deal with no release clause. I think that feat will never be repeated.
The sheer difference between the Treble season and let's say last season in raw output from Erling can be directly linked to the lack of that volume of passes not being there.
You lose KDB, you lose that massive output. Erl will still score goals, and he's a machine. Now imagine you increase that output, not just from central areas, but from the wings. ( i suspect it's why Savinho was kept at the club last season )
This and the fact that our wingers have been slightly underwhelming until Semenyo and Doku started their good forms and growth. Semenyo being more of a goal scorer than provider didn't particularly help Erling, but helped the team overall.
Also, Pep's style of play, and tactical approach weren't really playing to his biggest strengths.
It's a very serious hope of mine, that Maresca understands he has a player that can score 50-60 goals a season, and really focuses on that by adapting the team and its tactics. You do that right, we might win it all on the back or Erling's brilliance.
If Madrid did it for Ronaldo and Barcelona did it for Messi, we can do it for Haaland.
Hugo Viana: “There’s no doubt @NathanAke has been a key part of our success over the past few years. Whenever he stepped onto the pitch, he always gave everything as well as being hugely dependable for the team. He’s also shown versatile qualities – arriving as a centre-back but excelling at left-back including in our Treble-winning season of 2022/23.
"At the training ground, he was an outstanding, model professional who set high standards for everyone and this has no doubt contributed to the environment we have now at the CFA. We'd like to thank Nathan for his many contributions and wish him the very best in his next chapter..." [via @ManCity]
After six unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye. Manchester City has been so much more than just a football club to me, it has been my home.
Together, we’ve shared incredible moments and won 12 trophies, creating memories that will stay with me forever. But beyond the success on the pitch, it’s the moments in my personal life that have made this city so special.
I lost my dad here, one of the hardest moments of my life. I got married while playing for this club, and we’ve been blessed with two beautiful children during our time here. Manchester will always hold a special place in my heart because so much of my life has happened here.
To all my teammates over the years the manager and the staff, thank you for every moment we shared and every memory we made. We’ve made history together that will never be forgotten! thank you for taking care of me and my family and for making us feel at home from day one.
And to the fans thank you. Thank you for your incredible support through the highest highs and the toughest lows. I will always be grateful for the way you embraced me and my family.
It’s never easy to say goodbye to a place that has given you so much, but I leave with nothing but gratitude and memories that will last a lifetime.
Manchester will always feel like home.
Thank you for everything. 🩵