Rio Ferdinand names two key traits behind Erling Haaland goals record for Man City
15.03.2023 - 17:35
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Rio Ferdinand says "hunger" and "desire" are key to Erling Haaland's success at Manchester City.
Haaland scored five goals for City during an astonishing Champions League display against RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night to rubber-stamp European progression for his side as Pep Guardiola and his star-studded group move onto the quarter-finals with the draw set to take place on Friday afternoon.
While the Norway sensational was not alone in impressing for the Premier League champions, his staggering total for the season now reads 39 goals in 36 games with 10 goals coming from his six outings in the marquee European competition. He could yet reach a half-century in his maiden campaign.
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Speaking about what sets the ex-Borussia Dortmund striker apart, BT Sport pundit Ferdinand said: "We could talk about his ability and the amount of goals, but the thing that screams at you when you sit here and watch him live is his hunger. There's a hunger and desire above everything else you have to respect."
Ferdinand added: "I'm looking to see the ball when he walks out here, I know he'll come out here with a little bit of swagger because what he's doing right now, he's got every single defender before a ball is even kicked on the ropes thinking; 'Wow'.
"They're losing sleep the night before a game thinking about him, they're in the tunnel looking at him thinking he's bigger than they'd imagine he'd be, and he's actually getting into the game... they're playing the ball direct and they're going; 'He's actually faster than I thought he was'.
"He's got rockets in his boots! For defenders, he's a nightmare when they get it right."
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