Erling Haaland vs West Ham: Fitness fears, new Nike boots and his own-brand drink
There's one question doing the rounds before every Manchester City game: Is Erling Haaland fit? This time, ahead of the big away clash at West Ham United, there's a second one: Will the Norwegian finally rediscover his scoring touch? The last few games haven't exactly been what you'd expect from a machine like him. No panic in Manchester, but you can sense a slight shift in mood.
Guardiola: "Of course he needs goals"
Pep Guardiola, his manager, had that familiar wry smile in the press conference, the one he gets when he's not giving everything away. But he did throw us a few crumbs. "He's fine. He's got a bit of a groin thing, it niggles him sometimes, but he's a beast," the Catalan said. And then came the sentence that makes every City fan prick up their ears: "Of course he needs goals. Strikers live on them. And I sense he desperately wants them." No surprise with a player like Haaland. The lad lives for the ball, for the back of the net bulging.
He'll be needed against West Ham, that's for sure. The Hammers are a tough prospect, especially at their place. No room for pretty patterns, you just have to put the ball in the net. And that's exactly why City brought the boy in. I tell you what: if he plays, he'll have that tunnel vision – and that means one thing: finishing.
What's Haaland wearing this time? The new Nike Phantom GX II
For the kit-spotters among you: if you look closely, you'll see Haaland is now lacing up the Nike Phantom GX II Elite FG. These boots are made for him – they give you that feeling of control when you really leather it. No frills, just pure power on the ball. They're limited edition, obviously, but if you're watching on Saturday, keep an eye on his feet. That's top-notch boot craftsmanship, specially for lads like him who want to smash the leather into the onion bag.
More than just a player: Haaland the drinks entrepreneur
Speaking of limited edition: if you're interested in more than just his goals, you'll know Haaland is a brand in himself these days. His Prime Hydration Drink – everyone who's ever stood in front of a supermarket shelf knows it by now. Now there's the Prime Erling Haaland Limited Edition Hydration Drink 500ml incl. Steam-Time ThankYou. Sounds like a load of marketing fluff at first, but they're flying off the shelves. My nephew got his hands on a bottle, it's on display at his place like a little trophy. 500ml of pure Haaland, so to speak. The limited edition sells out in no time, so if you want one, you'll have to be quick. Or you could just hope Haaland turns it on against West Ham so much that your tongue's hanging out – then just drink tap water and enjoy the goals.
Haaland's background: The lad from the North
You know what makes him special? His background. Born in Leeds, brought up in Norway, the son of Alf-Inge, who was a pro himself. That shapes you. He's got that mix of British fighting spirit and Norwegian calm. On the pitch he explodes, off it he's almost shy. But when it comes to his career, he's ruthless. The Prime partnership, the new Nike boots – it's all carefully thought out. He knows his time on the pitch is limited, and he's making the most of it.
- Haaland's season so far: 27 Premier League goals already – despite a few niggling injuries.
- New boots: The Nike Phantom GX II Elite FG – for maximum power and precision.
- Limited-edition drink: Prime Hydration with the Haaland logo – including the "Steam-Time ThankYou" gimmick. A collector's item!
My West Ham prediction
Right then, I'll stick my neck out: West Ham are awkward opponents, but if Haaland's on the pitch for even 70 minutes, he'll bag at least one. That edge he's got now, after a few games without a goal – he'll channel it into the first shot that comes his way. And then it's in the back of the net. So keep your eyes peeled, not just for the goals, but for the boots and maybe the odd drinks bottle he takes off with after the game. A player like Haaland lives and breathes football, pure and simple.