EPL: ‘My job is to put the ball in back of net’ – Haaland

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has said he was frustrated watching the team’s matches last year as “no one was there” to score their chances.

Haaland scored 36 times as City won the Premier League title for a third consecutive season.

The Norwegian’s goals ranged from acrobatic volleys to close-range tap-ins.

Some fans have criticised the 22-year-old for his role within City’s team, typically playing on the shoulder of the final defender and pouncing on chances created by teammates.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s Between The Lines, Haaland said: “It’s a good thing to be good at tapping balls in.

“Last season, I watched so many times when crosses would go through the whole box and no one was there. I was imagining myself being there and thinking I’d slide that in.

“I was thinking of that when I came here. I’m not the one that’s going to create chances, but I have my role in the team. And that’s this (tap-ins). My job is to help the team put the ball in the back of the net.”