“He talked about how he used to see my clips and how I scored goals” - ISL striker says Erling Haaland once asked for his picture
New Punjab FC signing Mushaga Bakenga recalled meeting Erling Haaland earlier in their careers. The Norwegian striker played for a selection of clubs in his homeland and recently spoke about an interaction with the Manchester City goal machine when he was younger.
The 32-year-old spent a year with Molde FK, one of Haaland's first clubs, making 10 appearances and scoring four times while assisting twice. Reminiscing on his interaction with the now famous goalscorer, Bakenga told an Indian Super League (ISL) press conference (via myKhel):
"Norway is a small country. The last time I had a long conversation with Erling Haaland, he came to me and asked me for a picture. He was 17 years old and talked about how he used to see my clips and how I scored goals. Then two years later, I want to reach him but I can't get his number. Things change,"
Bakenga went on to promise that he would make a similar impact for his new team, saying:
"I will bring the Haaland tactics. You will not see me for 70 minutes and then I am there. This is what we Norwegians were taught as youngsters. You will see some games where I am very visible, but some games where I am invisible but I score three goals,"
Bakenga has so far delivered on his promise, with the Norwegian bagging two goals in his 91 minutes on the pitch spread across three games for Punjab FC.
Alan Shearer believes Erling Haaland is the best striker in the world
Former Newcastle United striker, Alan Shearer believes Erling Haaland is the best striker on the planet at the moment. The 24-year-old Norwegian has been prolific in front of goal in his career, bagging 232 goals in 285 club games while setting up 50 others.
In his column with BetFair, the Englishman wrote the following about the Norwegian:
"Haaland is the best striker in the world right now. In terms of his goals, I mean, he's playing in the hardest league in the world too. I know he's got great players around him, but he still has to finish his chances and the way he is, and how easy he's making it look, which of course it's not, then yes there's no one better than him at putting the ball in the back of the net at the minute."
Talking about the Manchester City forward's mindset Shearer continued:
"Haaland's finishing is top class, and you can see he really, really enjoys it too and I appreciate that. I get that because when you're in that form, when you've got that belief and when you have a chance and you expect to put it away, it's a great feeling.
Standing on the pitch, standing in the tunnel looking at your competitors thinking 'I'm already 1-0 up. I've already got the belief and the confidence.' It's an incredible feeling and I can see he's got that. I can see it in him and it's an amazing feeling."
Erling Haaland has bagged seven goals in the opening four games for Manchester City this season.