Erling Haaland given 'glorified babysitter' after Man City news confirmed

Frank McAvennie has claimed Man City have given Erling Haaland a “glorified babysitter” while on international duty.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker suggested Haaland, 22, is copying the example set by Cristiano Ronaldo to maintain his fitness.

As reported by the Daily Mail (19 September), City sports therapist Mario Pafundi has joined Haaland on international duty to monitor his routine while he's away from the Etihad.

Speaking ahead of the camp, Norway manager Stale Soblakken said that it was Haaland's idea for Pafundi to join the international set-up.

The Norwegian boss added that Pafundi has been working with other players on the team but is said to be there predominantly to maintain Haaland's daily routine.

McAvennie said doing what Haaland has done would have been unthinkable when he was playing.

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“Football's all changed now,” he told Football Insider.

“They've got sports scientists, they've got therapists, they've got everything now. It's all changed. When you've got such a commodity like Haaland, you want to do the right thing.

“Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to do it, he did it himself. He had his own trainers, his own chefs, his own physio. He paid for all that because he wanted to be the best in the world. That's dedication.

“The clubs have now stepped up and are doing it because they want to look after Haaland. We'll see how it plays out but at the end of the day It's a glorified babysitter really.“

Haaland scored for the national side as they took on Slovenia in the Nations League on Saturday (24 September).

Norway went on to lose the game 2-1.

In other news, sources told this site that Man City have reached an agreement in principle on £78m Phil Foden deal.

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