Erling Haaland: Manchester City's unlikely leader

When you hear the name Erling Haaland, one word comes to mind: goals. Relentless, unstoppable goals. In Manchester City’s last game before the October international break, the Norwegian striker added another to his collection, taking his tally to nine in just seven Premier League games this season. As he celebrated in front of the City fans, one thing felt clear — this is his team now.

With senior players like Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, and Ederson moving on, City are in a clear period of transition. New signings have arrived, the coaching setup has evolved, and the leadership group within the dressing room is shifting. In the middle of it all, Haaland’s importance has grown beyond being just the team’s finisher.

For years, Haaland wasn’t seen as a traditional leader. His game has always been about goals, not guidance. But this season, that perception is changing. Now in his fourth year at the club, he’s not only the main man in attack but also a player his teammates look to for drive and energy.

Leading City into Battle

We’re seeing a different side to Haaland this season — a version that’s more complete and more involved. While his goalscoring numbers speak for themselves, criticism has often come from what he does without the ball: pressing, link-up play, and movement in buildup. That’s starting to shift.

Haaland’s pressing looks sharper, and his defensive effort has gone up a level. He’s tracking back, working harder, and leading from the front. That improvement has been visible since the Manchester Derby — a game that lit a spark in him and the team.

From that point on, Haaland has set the tone early in matches.

Against Brentford, he went shoulder-to-shoulder with Sepp van den Berg just minutes after kickoff, outmuscled him, and turned it into a scoring chance — one he finished as usual. After the game, Haaland said, “It starts motivating me. All credit to him. He made me want to do that.”

It’s a different Haaland from last season. In the FA Cup final back in May, he gave away a penalty to Omar Marmoush, who missed. That kind of hesitation isn’t part of his game anymore. He’s got that edge back — focused, confident, and hungry. The eye of the tiger has returned.

Off-Pitch Influence

Haaland’s growing impact goes beyond what happens on the pitch. He’s become one of the key figures in a Manchester City team that’s evolving quickly — the link between players, fans, and the club’s next chapter.

After every home game, it’s Haaland who leads the lap of appreciation around the Etihad. It might seem like a small gesture, but it shows how much he values the supporters. He’s also more visible off the pitch than before. His lighthearted activity on Snapchat has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at team life — clips of him joking around with new signings, such as Rayan Cherki and Gianluigi Donnarumma. These comical clips are easy to overlook; however, they show Haaland welcoming his new teammates, just as a leader in the group should.

Another sign of his development as a leader is his honesty. Haaland hasn’t shied away from addressing City’s early-season struggles before the Manchester Derby, speaking openly about the team’s need to improve performances. For a player still only 25, that level of accountability speaks volumes.

His goals will always make the headlines, but it’s his willingness to lead, to demand more, and to set an example that could define City’s success this season and beyond.

The Captain in Waiting

Right now, Bernardo Silva wears the armband — Pep Guardiola’s trusted lieutenant and one of the few players left from City’s treble-winning campaign. But with his contract nearing its end and hints that he may move on, City will soon need to think about who leads them next.

The obvious senior options are Ruben Dias and Rodri — both vocal, consistent, and key to Guardiola’s setup. But when you think long-term, it’s hard not to see Haaland as part of that conversation.

He’s still only 25 and signed on a long-term deal that could keep him in Manchester well into the next decade. His consistency, influence, and attitude make him a natural candidate for the armband down the line. In many ways, he’s already acting like one.

Whether he officially becomes captain or not, Haaland is already leading from the front — setting the pace, driving standards, and showing that leadership isn’t just about wearing an armband. It’s about setting the example, every single week.