The key stats that show why Man City 'freak' Erling Haaland should be crowned best player of 2023

Manchester City's year started in unremarkable fashion and will probably end with a similar feeling but their success in between was historic.

Pep Guardiola's side kicked off 2023 with an unconvincing 1-0 win at Chelsea, Riyad Mahrez scoring the eventual winner on 63 minutes. They end the year at home to newly-promoted Sheffield United in what should be a routine three points.

But around two weeks before the midway point, on June 10, City beat Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul to claim a first-ever Champions League. Having already won the Premier League and FA Cup, that win also saw them secure a historic treble.

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You can cast your vote for Haaland, Rodri or John Stones in the national award and also vote for your City player of the year by following this link or voting below:

City have long been tipped to win Europe's flagship competition but elimination in various knockout-stage clashes has usually led to the criticism that they needed a goalscorer. This year, they had one.

Erling Haaland is one of three City players to be nominated for The Fans' Footballer of the Year Award for 2023 and the Norwegian striker has staked his claim for top-spot by simply scoring way more goals than anybody else. He has 44 at club level across the calendar year and, fitness permitting, will hope to see that increase further before January 1.

Haaland became the quickest player to 50 Premier League goals following his opener against Liverpool in November, taking just 48 matches to hit the half-century. Now second-placed former Manchester United forward Andy Cole took 65 games while the league's