Ilkay Gundogan explains how Erling Haaland is improving Man City

Ilkay Gundogan is excited that Erling Haaland gives Manchester City qualities that they have previously lacked.

Haaland is the marquee move of the summer transfer window, one of the best No.9s in the world moving to the Etihad rather than Real Madrid or Barcelona for a £51m fee. After two years of playing without a recognised striker, all eyes are now on east Manchester to see how Pep Guardiola can utilise the giant Norwegian forward while still sticking to the team principles.

Gundogan has been working with Haaland in training as the squad get ready for their Premier League start away to West Ham on Sunday, and is also on the seat next to him in the dressing room for the season. While the pair are still getting to know each other — they are able to speak together in German as well as English, after Haaland's time at Dortmund — Gundogan is looking forward to the striker's aerial presence and appetite for goals shining through.

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“He is looking really sharp. He is scoring goals in the games that we are playing in training. He scored in his first game for us," he said.

"What you can see is that he definitely has the hunger and the desire to score goals. He is enjoying that a lot and I think that is also one of his main qualities, to get himself in these positions where he is able to score and then having the right mentality to score goals.

"His physique that he brings to the team gives us more flexibility. We finally have someone that can go into aerial duels, so it adds a lot of value to our team. Also, off the pitch he seems like a really good guy, so obviously we are very grateful that he is here.”

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