Manchester City assistant coach Kolo Toure has revealed that the sheer quality of striker Erling Haaland leaves him feeling “scared.”
‘It Scares Me’ – Man City Assistant Kolo Toure on Star Player’s Quality
The Norwegian phenomenon has already scored 34 goals for club and country this season, cementing his status as one of the world’s most lethal forwards.
Toure, who won Premier League titles with both Arsenal and Manchester City, places Haaland among the very best.
“I would say he’s right among the top, like Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer,” stated Toure, having played alongside Henry and against Shearer during his own distinguished career.
However, for Toure, it is the 22-year-old’s character that matches his extraordinary talent. He emphasized that Haaland’s humility, despite his rapid success, is what truly stands out.
“What I really like with Erling is he’s a humble guy. He’s an incredible, incredible person,” Toure explained.
“He still has a big room for improvement as well. And he is open to listen to advice.”
The City coach then delivered his most striking assessment.
“He is so humble. For what he has achieved already, it scares me, I have to be honest,” Toure admitted.
“When you have a top player like that, normally the head can grow really big very quickly. But Erling is down to earth. This is incredible.”
Toure, a former elite central defender, also offered a unique perspective on the striker’s impact on opponents.
He recalled telling Haaland that facing a top striker ruins a defender’s sleep and that the Norwegian now causes those sleepless nights for others.
“I say to Erling, every time we play a team, a lot of them are not sleeping at the moment. Because it’s always hard to play against a top striker.”
Haaland’s fearsome reputation only grew this week following his decisive winning goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, a victory Toure believes injects the squad with vital belief.
With such a humble yet terrifying talent leading their line, City’s rivals have every reason to lose sleep.
