Emma Hayes laughed off the idea off second season syndrome affecting Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian striker came to English football last season and absolutely blew everybody away with his prowess in front of goal.
He finished his first term at City with 52 to his name.
Everyone knew he would score goals.
But nobody thought he would get that many.
The challenge now for Haaland is to try and replicate those exploits moving forwards.
It will not be easy. Because teams will likely be adopting special measures to try and contain him this time around.
Some have wondered whether Haaland could drop off significantly in 2023/24.
He drew a blank today against Arsenal in the Community Shield, as City lost on penalties.
But Emma Hayes doesn’t see any issues for Haaland in his second season.
Emma Hayes laughs off Erling Haaland suffering ‘second season syndrome’ at Man City
Second season syndrome is the idea that a player will absolutely thrive in their first term at a club, but then suffer a significant drop-off in the next.
Haaland is now 23, and is into his eighth season as a professional.
The star has only ever known scoring goals on a regular basis.
Fort Borussia Dortmund, he scored 86 goals in 89 games.
And so far for City, he’s bagged 52 in 53.
In the eyes of Hayes, who is the manager of Chelsea manager and was today on punditry duty for ITV Sport, Haaland will continue being prolific for City.
She said ahead of kick-off: “I don’t think so (he’ll suffer a drop-off). You’re talking about one of the best even at his young age. He proved that last year, he is ruthless in front of goal. I suspect he is going to learn a lot and things to his game.”
Haaland won’t suffer second season syndrome, but he’ll do incredibly well to get near 52 goals again
Most will agree with Hayes here.
Haaland is one of, if not the best striker in the world.
He is a physical specimen, and has an amazing knack of getting into the perfect position to score.
He will score plenty in the coming season.
Today was not his day in the Community Shield against Arsenal. But he will come again stronger.
He will do ridiculously well to get anywhere near 52 again this season.
Teams will be trying all sorts to contain him, and it’s possible there will be games where he’ll just be completely nullified. But that doesn’t mean City won’t still thump teams in games where that is happening.
