Record-breaker striker Erling Braut Haaland has admitted that he would swap all of his goals for Manchester City this season if it would guarantee winning the treble.
The 22-year-old's remarkable debut campaign with the Citizens will forever have a place in Premier League folklore after becoming the first player in the competition's history to score 35 goals in a single season.
Haaland's landmark goal came in the 70th minute of Man City's 3-0 home victory over West Ham United on Wednesday night, receiving a pass from Jack Grealish and running through on goal before chipping Lukasz Fabianksi inside the penalty area.
Second-half goals from Nathan Ake and Phil Foden made the net ripple either side of Haaland's strike to help Pep Guardiola's side return to the top of the Premier League table, sitting one point clear of title rivals Arsenal with a game in hand.
Haaland has scored his 35 Premier League goals in just 31 matches this term, surpassing the previous record held by both Andy Cole and Alan Shearer (34), while he has also increased his overall goal tally in all competitions to 51 after just 44 appearances.
𝟯𝟱 Premier League goals 🤩 A big thank you to everyone for the support, nothing happens without you all, we don't stop here! 💙 pic.twitter.com/5MJqSbH0T4
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) May 3, 2023
The Norwegian's outstanding form in front of goal has hugely contributed to City's success this season, with Guardiola's men still in the running to lift the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Along with netting 35 Premier League goals, Haaland has scored 12 times in eight Champions League games this season, with City to soon prepare for a semi-final tie against Real Madrid, and he has also scored three goals in as many FA Cup matches en route to next month's final against rivals Manchester United.
After beating West Ham, Haaland expressed his pride on a "special night" to break the Premier League single-season scoring record, but has acknowledged that winning three trophies is higher on his list of priorities.
Asked by Sky Sports if he would swap all his goals and records to win the treble, Haaland confidently replied: "Yes" without hesitation.
Haaland added: "Everyone knows [the treble] is possible but we cannot think of the FA Cup final with Manchester United now [or the Champions League], we have Leeds in three days.
"If you do this you are not good in your head. You have to think of the next game and focus. The last games are now all finals."
© Reuters
Commenting on his record-breaking goal and celebrations after the match against West Ham, Haaland added: "Special night. Special moment. I'm really happy and proud. What more is there to say?
"It was a nice feeling (to receive a guard of honour). As it is with every single goal I score. To win the game is also important. Everyone hit me in the back so it was painful! It was a nice thing, I'm really happy.
"I knew about [the record] of course. We tried to create the chances to score goals but it wasn't easy. We struggled a bit in the first half. Nathan [Ake] scored then I scored, then Phil [Foden], so it was an important win.
"My first thought is to run towards the goal. Jack [Grealish] spoke to me before the game and he wanted to give me the assist for the record breaking goal. I saw the keeper coming out.
"It was a perfect pass from Jack. I saw [Fabianski] was coming out and it was a perfect bounce. I didn't think I would chip, but the possibility was there so that's why I did it."
Haaland will look to increase his remarkable goal tally when Man City welcome Sam Allardyce's Leeds United to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.
Oliver Thomas
