‘I’m so impressed’… Pundit says Manchester City have a player who just has an elite mentality
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.
Manchester City v Everton FC – Premier League
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“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.”
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.
‘Top guy’… Nathan Ake backs 28-year-old Man City teammate to shine again, he’s played just 16 PL minutes in 2024
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Nathan Ake has insisted Jack Grealish is working very hard at the moment to try and rediscover his best form at Manchester City.
Ake was speaking about Grealish yesterday ahead of the Champions League last 16 clash with Copenhagen.
The winger has been on the periphery at the Etihad recently.
Grealish has not started any of City’s last four Premier League games, playing just 16 minutes across a couple of cameo appearances.
He also missed out on playing in the FA Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur, but did feature in the previous round against Huddersfield Town
Grealish was one of City’s key players last season, and Ake is backing his teammate to come good soon…
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Nathan Ake backs Jack Grealish to find his mojo again for Manchester City
Brentford FC v Manchester City – Premier League
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Ake spoke about a few things ahead of City’s game with Copenhagen tonight.
The Dutch defender admitted it is such hard competition to win, and also talked up talented City youngster Oscar Bobb, calling him ‘technically unbelievable’.
But Ake also spoke about Grealish, who has not had a great start personally to 2024.
After Guardiola last week challenged him to be as good as he was last season, Ake said of Grealish (via Beanyman Sports): “Jack is good. He’s very good. Everyone knows in the team, for sure, and everyone outside of football know how good he is. He’s a top guy.
“He won’t change, if he doesn’t play for a few games he will still work hard. Give his everything every day.
“I think that motivates us as well, even though maybe he’s a bit down that he didn’t play as much, he’s still fighting in training and working hard. I think that lifts everyone. I’m sure he will play lots and lots of games.”
Grealish has work to do It has been quite a stop-start season for Grealish at City.
Just lately, he’s not been in the team with the likes of Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb preferred in the wide areas.
He doesn’t quite have that same feeling about him as last season, and Pep seemingly feels the star needs to be doing more at the moment, otherwise he would have turned to him more.
Hopefully, the £100 million man can get back to his best level soon, but he will need to give Guardiola a reason to start starting him again.
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