There are interesting moments in the last week of the German Bundesliga. One of them occurred in the match Borussia Dortmund versus Hertha Berlin at Signal Iduna Park, last Saturday. Not only a sensational comeback from Dortmund to lock the last win of the season, 2-1. Also, how the team and Die Borussen fans saw one of the best young stars the club has ever had in the last game. Yes, it’s Erling Haaland. That was the 21-year-old’s last match with a club whose full name was Ballspielverein Borussia 09 e.V. Dortmund. The match was actually also a farewell match for a number of players and sporting directors.
They also have their own place in the history of the club. Marcel Schmelzer, Axel Witsel, Roman Burki, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Marwin Hitz are on the same path as Haaland. Likewise Michael Zorc, after 44 years as a player to occupy the ranks of management. It’s just that Haaland got wide publicity because of his career with Dortmund with phenomenal appearances and goal contributions. Three years in the Bundesliga, from being with RB Salzburg to the last two years at Dortmund, Halland has transformed into the most prolific striker on the European continent.
Stylish stats: 85 goals in 88 Bundesliga appearances, can’t help but make him the center of attention. His departure left a deep sadness in the hearts of Dortmund fans. As one of the best young players at the moment, he is clearly a target for many of Europe’s top clubs. In the end Haaland chose to continue his adventure in England.
Haaland started in his last match in the highest caste competition in Germany. He scored from the penalty spot in the 68th minute to respond to Isaac Belfodil’s penalty in the 18th minute. Youssoufa Moukoko then ensured victory for the hosts in the 84th minute. Dortmund had to settle for being runners-up in the Bundesliga this season. With 69 points, they are eight points behind classic rivals Bayern Munich in the final standings. Haaland’s goal in the last game was a farewell gift. Before the match, Haaland had the opportunity to say goodbye to the fans who filled the stadium.
Haaland walked around the stadium. Every now and then he patted his chest, right on the club crest. On different occasions, he waved goodbye to the audience. From the side of the pitch, the fans responded with thunderous applause. A thrilling farewell moment. No wonder, after that match, Haaland sent a heartwarming message. “It’s nothing but an honor to wear this shirt. To Borussia Dortmund. I’ve spent unforgettable moments, meeting special people, not to mention the fan base that has always been our extra on the pitch.”
Thus chirped Haaland on his personal Twitter account, @ErlingHaaland. He admits that the short time has left a deep impression. Words of thanks don’t seem to be enough. “The Yellow Wall was absolutely amazing. I will never forget all of this! Thank you all!”
After ending his career in Germany, the Norwegian will open a new chapter in the English Premier League, with Manchester City. A rich club that ultimately won the competition with many top clubs for Haaland’s signature. Since earlier this month, Haaland has become a byword after Manchester City confirmed his transfer. The day before, around May 9, Europe’s top media had revealed it. The negotiation process between Dortmund and City has been intensive since the previous week.
So, why did Haaland then choose Manchester and have to pass Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United? The first and main reason, as many people have clearly stated is money. Yes, there is money everything will be smooth. With the strength of financial resources, it is certainly not difficult for City to redeem Haaland’s release clause. The figure of 60 to 64 million euros is not a dowry that weighs on City.
Arguably, the number is quite low for a young and talented player. As well as fulfilling a number of personal requirements proposed by Haaland. Even David Ornstein of The Athletic reports most of the talks had reached an agreement in April. City didn’t mind paying high fees to Haaland. He could have earned a higher salary than Kevin de Bruyne with a weekly salary of almost 500 thousand pounds. Making Haaland the highest paid player in the Premier League, around £618,000 per week, is not a difficult matter.
Second, in addition to adequate financial support, City is one of the elite European clubs today. Managed by Pep Guardiola, the team has a good squad depth. Although they are still in the process of becoming European champions, City’s strength has been recognized. With Dortmund, Haaland’s charm in the European Champions League decreased slightly, as the club’s overall performance declined. In the last three seasons, Haaland and his team failed to advance to the quarter-finals.
Haaland will be an important part of City’s ambition to reach a climax in the elite competition on the Blue Continent. Haaland completes City’s attack to step on the pinnacle of a long struggle for nine seasons to advance to the knockout stages, and in the last five seasons has at least been a subscription to the quarter-finals. City fans are almost at a loss for words seeing how their beloved team have been eliminated in the final and semi-finals, in the last two seasons respectively. If Haaland’s presence could end the waiting which was quite emotionally draining.
Third, there are personal reasons behind the decision to choose The Citizen. Haaland has a personal affinity with England, especially City. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland played for Leeds United from 1997-2000. In that place, Haaland was born. Furthermore, Alf who can play as a right-back or midfielder, moved to Manchester City in the same year. In Manchester, Haaland spent his youth.
After making 38 appearances and scoring three goals, Haaland senior returned to his home country, playing three seasons, before hanging up his boots. Fourth, not only harvesting a lot of money, in City he will achieve various dreams to fill his achievement cupboard. If with Dortmund he has not been able to taste of being the European champion and the ruler of the domestic competition, the opportunities with City are more open.
He will fill City’s star squad. Then get ready to score goals, win trophies, and get wider attention. Exposure to players in the Premier League will he get easily. This will help him to achieve personal achievements. One of them is the Ballon d’Or. Many people have called him a future star with Kylian Mbappe.
Just count it, if he immediately stepped on the gas in his first season with City, won the Champions League trophy and various domestic trophies, then he had a chance to win the Ballon d’Or in 2023. At that time he was 23 years old. While he is not the youngest player to win the title, beating Brazil’s Ronaldo who won it at 21 years and 96 days in 1997, or sooner than Lionel Messi and Michael Owen who won it at 22, the title will motivate Haaland even more.
Fifth, strong media support will keep him in the limelight. As the most watched league in the world, its name will be widely recognized. It is possible that his name will always fill the list in the following years, at least until his contract expires in 2027. The selling value also increases by itself.
The process of moving Haaland to City looks without a hitch. Various expectations and scenarios can be beautifully described. However, the extent to which Haaland’s performance with City is still a question mark. Will he be able to meet the expectations of the fans to break the record in the European Champions League?
Likewise, is Haaland’s career going to be more successful under Guardiola? Is it possible that predictions as a young star who will shine in the future could lead to the Ballon d’Or? Is Haaland ready to face the pressure from the media that is no less frightening? Haaland still has to prove on the field of play. The player who is often smothered by injuries must be able to adjust to the rhythm of the English Premier League which demands physical and mental toughness.
In this matter, Haaland certainly has more than enough ability. Haaland’s quality is unquestionable. Speed, accurate passing, hard kicks, tough in the air and high goal instinct. He certainly can easily adapt to the character of the competition and even naturally to City’s style of play.
Guardiola also has his own homework. Apart from having to make choices and adjustments from a range of forwards such as Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden, how the Spaniard will polish and utilize Haaland’s talent, is another question. His experience dealing with star players such as Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Sergio Aguero has made the fans have full faith in Guardiola. Only, Haaland is Haaland. He’s not one of the players above.
Since the departure of Sergio Augero, City have not had a pure striker. Even so, City’s solidity and sharpness did not seem to diminish. Haaland’s presence makes Guardiola have to readjust tactics and the other players have to adapt again to strategy with Haaland being the forward, like when Aguero was in a City uniform. Again, will things go smoothly, as smoothly as the transfer process?
ASL
