With every passing match, Erling Haaland's move to Manchester City makes more and more sense. The 22-year-old Norwegian striker has hit the ground running in the Premier League with nine goals to his name in just five matches, with his latest goalscoring triumph coming on Wednesday night as he Nottingham Forest to the sword with a blistering performance in the first half.
His 26-minute hat-trick at the Etihad Stadium was brilliant viewing. Those who criticised the forward after the glorified pre-season clash with Liverpool in the Community Shield will have been watching on from behind their sofas.
On the pitch, Haaland is proving to be a sensation. The reaction he received just for warming up at the Camp Nou last week shows that City have one of the biggest superstars in world football on their books.
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However, it is more than just performances on the pitch which will see Haaland go down as Pep Guardiola's greatest bit of business at City. Off the pitch he is also starting to show his worth.
Manuel Akanji arrived in Manchester on deadline day as a player brought in to strengthen the defensive options at the club. In his first interview as a City man, Akanji spoke about the impact Haaland had in convincing him to join.
"He was actually the first one who texted me," Akanji admitted. "It was a couple of days ago he texted me and that's when I told him I would really like to come here."
Of course, Akanji and Haaland are friends from their time together in Dortmund therefore it is not exactly shocking that the pair communicated about the move. However, what it does show is a sign of things to come at the Etihad.
This will not open the doors up to all of Haaland's friends moving to Manchester but, as he continues to score and his stock continues to rise, so will City's. The theory is that the striker has been signed to get City across the line in the Champions League - the one minus-mark on Pep Guardiola's record - and with his current form, it is hard to see how City won't lift the 'big one'.
Before Haaland, City were a superpower club on the world stage, the chance to work under Guardiola was enough for some. But, with Haaland on side, the Blues' ability to attract the top names in football has risen.
City have now proven they can bring in the very best and Agent Haaland will help to capture many more of the world's great talents before his time in Manchester comes to an end.
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