Erling Haaland has joked his dream is to score every time he touches the ball after being criticised for his lack of involvement in games.
Haaland, 22, has made a sensational start to his Manchester City career following his £51million move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, scoring 13 goals in his first nine games for Pep Guardiola's side - with 10 of those coming in the Premier League.
The Norwegian's most recent goal came against ex-club Dortmund in Europe on Wednesday, scoring an acrobatic finish to snatch a 2-1 win late on. His teammate Joao Cancelo also deserved the plaudits for a superb assist with the outside of his right boot.
Although Haaland scored the winner against Dortmund, he had just 26 touches in the game. Yet he isn't too concerned about that stat. "People maybe talk that I don't touch the ball enough and this and that but I don't care about this," he told beIN Sports.
"I know what I'm going to do, what I have to do and this is exactly what I did today in a difficult match and this is exactly what I will keep doing. My dream is to touch the ball five times and score five goals. That's my biggest dream."
Haaland's stunning goal has been compared to one Johan Cruyff scored for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid in 1973. The Dutch icon is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, winning the Ballon d'Or and European Cup three times each.
How many goals do you think Erling Haaland will score this season? Let us know in the comments below!
Cruyff became a manager after hanging up his boots in 1984, taking the Barcelona job four years later. He enjoyed huge success at the Camp Nou - winning four consecutive La Liga titles and the European Cup in 1992 - with Guardiola at the heart of his midfield.
"What a goal," said Guardiola. "I remember a long time ago in Barcelona Johan Cruyff scored one quite similar against Atletico Madrid. It's nice Erling emulated Johan Cruyff.
"Maybe the people who know me know the influence of Cruyff in my life as a person, mentor and manager. Years ago he scored in Camp Nou and scored a goal v Atleti. It was quite similar to Haaland and the moment he scored it I felt Cruyff."
Speaking to BT Sport, Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand said: "What I love about him is a lot of strikers would panic when they aren't getting much of the ball. He is calm and just thinks: 'I want goals.' It is all about the end product and winning games for Haaland.
"Only certain players can go into a winning dressing room and fit in seamlessly. There has to be arrogance and confidence. He is delivering so much. He [Guardiola] isn't trying to compare them [Cruyff and Haaland] as players, but they are players who come up with moments. Only he was going to score that goal tonight."
Haaland and his City teammates are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they take on Wolves at Molineux.
