Haaland under no illusions over Man City demands - 'they have to replace me'

Erling Haaland admits he faces constant pressure to keep scoring goals or risk being replaced at Manchester City, despite breaking Premier League records and signing a contract until 2034

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has opened up about the burden he carries to deliver results, admitting that failure to find the back of the net regularly could see him axed from the squad.

The Norway ace has been a reliable figure in attack since his £51m switch from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. His commitment to the Citizens was cemented when he signed fresh terms running until 2034, demonstrating mutual confidence between player and club at the Etihad Stadium.

This development silenced speculation about a potential departure in the coming years, with his previous deal due to run out in 2027, though questions about his long-term ambitions persist.

During an appearance on The Rest Is Football podcast, when quizzed about mapping out his career trajectory, Haaland responded: "I'm not putting any targets [on seasons] because so many things can happen. And that's why I'm trying to take it game by game.

"And if you can take game by game, and of course you want to win every game, help the team, because it's a team sport, of course."

The forward, who has previously been courted by Real Madrid, then confessed: "But again, as I said before, I'm the striker of City. I have to score goals. If not, they have to replace me.

"Because if I'm not delivering the goals and the things they need, they have to replace me. So there is a lot of pressure on me to deliver, you know, and to do the job."

So far, he has certainly delivered when it counts, having netted 15 goals in the Premier League already this season, with five in the Champions League.

A substantial portion of City's strikes since his arrival have come through Haaland, who has become the focal point for their attacking play, with any hope of securing silverware this season largely resting on his ability to find the back of the net.

Whilst it appears unlikely that the club would replace the 25 year old for a lack of goals, they have demonstrated a merciless approach in the past to ensure that the team remain competitive when it truly counts.

Julian Alvarez, who was Haaland's rival for a starting spot up front for a period, serves as a good example, as he was permitted to depart back in 2024, joining Atletico Madrid despite some previously impressive displays.

Given the benchmarks he has established thus far, though, there is no anticipation that Haaland will demonstrate a decline in form any time soon, with 144 goals scored in 166 appearances for City already.

The striker recently reached the 100 goal milestone in the Premier League, smashing Alan Shearer's record for the quickest time to achieve that landmark - accomplishing it in just 111 matches, 13 faster than Shearer.

Regarding the recent achievement, Pep Guardiola said: "When I arrived, if you told me that in 111 games, he scored 100 goals, I'd say, 'Are you sure? In this league?' But he did it. The numbers are insane. Insane.

"For sure, he's one of the best. For the strikers, it's a question of numbers, and his numbers have no discussions. You are British, and you bring the best strikers to this country, so Erling is one of them. I am happy for him and happy for the team to deliver this day for him. And let's continue."

Haaland will have Shearer's all-time Premier League record of 260 goals firmly in his crosshairs if he remains at the Etihad Stadium - something his recent nine-and-a-half-year contract extension strongly suggests he intends to do.