Dean Ashton has praised the elite mentality that Erling Haaland possesses in abundance.
After the Norwegian international’s gilt-edged miss against Brentford in the first half, it would have been easy to come to the conclusion that he has been quite wasteful for Manchester City this season.
Haaland perhaps has missed more chances this season for the Sky Blues than during his debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium.
Dean Ashton left “impressed” by the elite Erling Haaland mentality
However, against Everton, the 23-year-old bounced back in style for Pep Guardiola’s men by bagging a brace to maintain his side’s unbeaten record at home since December 2022.
Dean Ashton, who was a striker himself has lauded the mindset that makes Erling Haaland such a prolific goalscorer.
“I’m so impressed with his mentality. He had a chance against Brentford, one v one, didn’t quite take it and it was a very similar opportunity for his second goal [against Everton] and he gets it right”, he said on Sky Sports.
“So, it’s that mentality of not letting missed chances affect him at all even though he’s been out and he’s trying to find his way back, that finish [for his first goal] is brilliant for me because it’s his weak side and he makes it as simple as he possibly can in the way that he finishes and keeps it down.”
Erling Haaland must have watched back his miss against Brentford numerous times
Dean Ashton has hit the nail on the head about Erling Haaland, who presumably must have watched back his miss against Brentford.
Being one-on-one with Mark Flekken and in acres of space, the treble-winner was expected to find the back of the net in a situation that is his bread and butter.
But instead, Erling Haaland somehow made a meal of the opportunity and failed to score against the Bees.
However, for his second goal against Everton, Haaland found himself in a similar situation.
Only this time around, the former Borussia Dortmund striker opened his body and took his goal in Thierry Henry-esque fashion.
Having failed to capitalise on a relatively simple goalscoring opportunity for a forward of his calibre, it would not be out of the ordinary for him to perhaps fluff his lines again due to perhaps feeling the nerves of the moment.
Instead, Erling Haaland was ice-cold in front of goal and that comes down to practice, confidence, quality and a top mentality.
