Man City’s Erling Haaland says records not on his mind amid prolific scoring run

Erling Haaland insists he does not think about records despite being well aware of the extraordinary numbers he could produce.

Even by his own high standards, the prolific Manchester City striker has made an outstanding start to the season.

The Norway frontman has scored 26 goals in just 16 appearances for club and country.

His double against Bournemouth on Sunday took his Premier League tally to 98 from 107 appearances, putting the 25-year-old in line to become the quickest to a century.

Alan Shearer currently holds that distinction after reaching three figures in 124 games, while the former Blackburn and Newcastle forward’s most-celebrated mark, the overall Premier League record of 260, could also be a target.

Asked if he thought about records, Haaland said: “Not to sound arrogant, but which one?”

When Shearer’s 260 was referenced, he said: “I don’t really know any records, but this one I know, his Premier League record.

“But again, I can’t think about records I can break. That’s the last thing I think of. I try to help the team win football games. That’s my job and that’s my main focus.

“Two days ago we had a game, and that’s history now. We need to focus on tomorrow, that’s how my brain works.”

Haaland was speaking at a press conference to preview Wednesday’s Champions League clash with his former club Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium.

He was in bullish mood, greeting journalists with a loud “Guten tag”, as would befit someone brimming with confidence.

Yet his down-to-earth persona has been very much in evidence in the first video offerings on his newly-launched YouTube channel, and he maintains he has not changed since he was a youngster.

He said: “For me it’s completely normal. I’m a Norwegian guy and, for