Erling Haaland insists he’s ready for another grueling season with Manchester City… but warns exhaustion will lead to a drop in quality in football

Erling Haaland maintained that he is ready to attack a 70-game season for Manchester City but warned a general lack of quality at the European Championship will become the norm.

The striker, who has plundered 90 goals in 98 appearances over two years for City, believes the excessive schedule played a significant part at the Euros.

And a collection of European clubs, including the Premier League champions, are set for a revamped Club World Cup in America next June – just weeks after the season finishes.

‘During the Euros we saw in general how tired people were,’ Haaland said. ‘You could see the level… even in people’s faces how tired they were of football, if you can say it that way.

‘I think that’s how it will be this season. Some won’t get a lot of vacation. I think that’s the way we are going now.

Jack Grealish and Haaland pose during a training session at Central Park in New York City

‘I don’t think we can be sharp in every game. We can try but it’s difficult to be sharp if you play 70 games a year. You have to try to work with your team and the people around you to become the best version of yourself.’

His manager, Pep Guardiola, claimed Haaland ought to be fresh enough after an extended summer break given Norway didn’t qualify for the Euros.

And the 24-year-old believes he is now over the continued fitness issues he endured last term, with an ankle injury keeping him out for two months over New Year.

‘I had my longest break since 2014,’ Haaland added. 

‘My body is rested and I’m ready to go. It felt amazing. I needed it, I was quite tired. It’s going to be a long season this year as well. It will be like that as long as I can think.’

When those remarks were put to Guardiola, he said: ‘Erling has already rested. (If) he’s tired, go to bed early. Focus 24 hours and you will be ready. Tiredness is not an excuse. I push him to be more focused.’