Paul Dickov notices big change in Erling Haaland for Man City – and Pep Guardiola agrees

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Erling Haaland has been in explosive form at Manchester City so far this season.

The Norway international has raced out of the blocks to score nine goals in just seven appearances – also providing one assist as he astonishingly makes it 133 goals in 153 games for the Citizens.

Erling Haaland has been incredibly consistent since his £51m move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City in June 2022 – but both Paul Dickov and Pep Guardiola feel his leadership qualities have developed this term.

Erling Haaland described as a “proper leader” after outstanding start to the season

Nobody is surprised by the Norwegian continuing to find the net, but his conduct in terms of leadership has caught the eye of Dickov.

The man who made 197 appearances for Manchester City – who have been back to win the UEFA Champions League – told talkSPORT: “I think this season, his whole forward play has come on an absolute ton. He looks like a proper leader this season, and his hold up play has been brilliant. He’s backing into defenders. He’s bringing others out in the play and in both boxes he’s been absolutely outstanding.”

Despite scoring 34 goals in 48 appearances last season, Haaland did not seem to be as commanding a figure as he is now – memorably passing up a penalty in the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, which Omar Marmoush missed.

This season, it feels unimaginable that the 25-year-old would make such a decision again.

Pep Guardiola also sees leadership skills in Erling Haaland

Dickov is not the only one to have noticed a change in Haaland – who would move to Spain if he ever left Manchester.

Guardiola even included the Manchester City No.9 in his leadership group during the summer, which gave the Leeds-born striker an added feeling of responsibility, sources told ESPN.

Discussing this decision, the Spaniard talked Haaland up as a future captain at Manchester City, admitting: “He’s so young. He has to learn what it means to be a captain because he will hopefully be here for many years and sooner or later, he will take that position.”

Scoring goals already came naturally to Haaland, but if he can also become a leader of men and enhance the mental side of his game, opponents better watch out.