Erling Haaland receives verdict after Man City ace sent home from Norway duty

Ex-Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott thinks Erling Haaland holds the key to Manchester City's title chances after the Norwegian striker returned to his club side from international duty early

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Joleon Lescott thinks a rampant Erling Haaland could fire Manchester City into Premier League title contention. The Norwegian star will be fresh for City's clash with Everton on Saturday after returning from international duty early.

The 25-year-old has been in his typical inspired form to begin this season, scoring nine top-flight goals in just seven games and adding three more in the Champions League. He also starred for his country by netting a hat-trick in their 5-0 win against Israel last Saturday.

Concerns were raised when the striker was sent home from international duty early but the reason for this was due to a "particularly tight match schedule." The striker will be fresh and ready for action when City face Everton on Saturday and Lescott thinks Haaland could help his former side to the league title.

"There's not a finish that he hasn't got," said Lescott, speaking about Haaland on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet. "That goal against Brentford, which he said was his favourite, proper goal that.

"One hundred per cent [he'll keep them in the title race]. Yeah [he's a phenomenon]. Statistically, this season was his worst start to a Premier League season. Outrageous that isn't it?"

Pep Guardiola's City currently sit three points off league leaders Arsenal after seven games played, just outside of the top four places. Thanks to his impressive goal tally, Haaland was awarded the Premier League's Player of the Month for September, and he has continued his run of form into this month as well.

He'll be hoping to lift City when they host Everton on Saturday and the visitors will be without star Jack Grealish as the Englishman is currently on loan from the Manchester side.

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"September was an important month for us as a team. We played some really good football, stayed unbeaten, and got important wins for our fans," said Haaland last month.

"I'm happy I could help the team with goals and performances. Now we just keep going — keep working hard every day. Because there's a tough schedule. Hopefully we can keep the same level and win even more games."

Haaland's manager was also quick to heap praise on the star striker in September, and compared him to some of football's finest ever goal-scorers

Guardiola said: "He's at the level of [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy or [Robert] Lewandowski, but especially of two monsters like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Erling is right there. In terms of goals, he's incredible."

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