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Man City’s Erling Haaland: ‘Flexibility’ key to ‘crazy goals’

Oct 23, 2025, 01:41 PM ET

Good flexibility, raw milk and steak are among the secrets behind Erling Haaland’s “crazy goals”, the Manchester City striker said.

The prolific Norwegian has plundered a remarkable 24 goals in just 14 appearances for club and country this season, and has struck in his last 12 outings.

The 25-year-old has shared some of the factors behind his success in the first video posted to his newly launched YouTube channel, @erling.

Erling Haaland has scored 24 goals in 14 appearances this season. Carl Recine/Getty Images

A 27-minute film follows Haaland in a typical day, from cooking his breakfast in the morning through to a physiotherapy session, training with City and then preparing his evening meal.

“I have natural good flexibility in my groin and my hips which, for me, is so important to keep, because how do you score these goals?” Haaland said, raising his leg to reference some of his more acrobatic efforts, whilst receiving some massage treatment.

“You need to have good mobility or flexibility to score these crazy goals. This is really important.”

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On this particular day, Haaland calls at a local farm shop on his way to training at the City Football Academy. Raw milk and several cuts of steak — which he later shows his passion for cooking — are among his purchases.

The channel, a personal venture not connected to City, aims to offer insights into Haaland’s training, lifestyle and interests beyond football.

He said: “People always see the matches, the goals, the celebrations — but not the hours that go into being ready for all of that.

“It’s a bit of who I am away from the pitch, and I hope people enjoy seeing that side.”

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Man City’s John Stones mulled ‘retiring’ last season amid injuries

Manchester City and England defender John Stones has revealed he considered retiring from football last season after he was plagued with injuries.

Stones, 31, suffered repeated issues with his hamstring and foot last term that caused him to miss more than 30 games across all competitions.

It is those injuries that have meant that Stones has not played for England under Thomas Tuchel since the German manager began work in January, although he could make his return against either Wales or Latvia this month.

“Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping,” Stones told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I didn’t want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in.”

John Stones dealt with lingering foot and hamstring injuries last season. Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

He added: “There comes a point where you don’t know why it happens and it is even harder when you put in so much effort, or you are ultra professional, to be able to play and be available.

“When that time comes and something happens, it would be easier to say ‘well I didn’t do X, Y and Z that’s why’ — but when you do it, it’s then mentally challenging. Hopefully I don’t go back to that place.”

Stones was held to just 11 appearances in the Premier League last season after previously being a constant fixture in Pep Guardiola’s backline, although he has returned to fitness this term.

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“My emotions were high. I wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t think deep down I would have ever done it [retired],” Stones continued.

“I said years ago when City wanted me to have a new challenge, I said ‘I am going to fight’. That’s all I have known since I was a kid — why should I stop that now?

“So yes, there is that fight in me and that winning mentality that doesn’t want to stop.”

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Man City’s O’Reilly handed first England call up after James injury

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has handed Nico O’Reilly his first call up to the senior team after Reece James pulled out of the squad with an injury.

O’Reilly, 20, had been included in the under-21 squad but will now link up with the seniors for a friendly against Wales at Wembley and a World Cup qualifier in Latvia.

The City youngster has been in fine form for Pep Guardiola’s side at the start of this season and has started their last four Premier League matches. He has previously represented England from U15 to U20 level.

Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly has been called up to England’s squad for games against Wales and Latvia. James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

An England statement released on Monday said that Chelsea captain James picked up an injury during the west London club’s dramatic Premier League victory over Liverpool on Saturday and has been ruled out “following medical assessments.”

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James played the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge, covering for the injured Josh Acheampong and Benoît Badiashile at centre-back in the second half.

O’Reilly himself played from start to finish at left-back in City’s 1-0 win over Brentford on Sunday, having assisted Erling Haaland in the 2-2 draw with Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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He has thrived under Pep Guardiola since the Spaniard opted to play O’Reilly on the left side of defence in a 2-0 win over Leicester last April.

O’Reilly now has 30 appearances for City, scoring five goals and assisting three times, having also played at centre-back, in the heart of midfield and also as a centre forward, such is his flexibility.

He will compete with Djed Spence, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s team.

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Man City’s Rodri had ‘a lot of pain in knee’ – Guardiola

Sep 29, 2025, 05:42 AM ET

Pep Guardiola has confirmed midfielder Rodri missed Manchester City’s resounding 5-1 win over Burnley due to having pain in his knee.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner suffered an ACL tear in September 2024 in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal which ruled him out for almost the entire rest of the season.

He has since had further setbacks which saw him miss City’s 4-0 Premier League opening win over Wolves, while he played only 15 minutes in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Rodri missed the clash with Burnley due to pain in his knee. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

The Spain midfielder appeared to be returning to full fitness after starting three games in a week against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal but Guardiola confirmed Rodri was not named in the squad for the romp of Burnley due to pain in his knee again.

“Rodri was training and said, ‘I’m not able to play. I have a lot of pain in my knee. I cannot play, I cannot play.’ And I said, ‘if you cannot play, you cannot play’,” Guardiola said.

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Nico González started in place of Rodri at the Etihad on Saturday, as City rose to seventh in the table thanks to two Maxime Estève own goals, an Erling Haaland brace and a goal from Matheus Nunes.

Rico Lewis covered the defensive midfield role in the 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield.

City face Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday and Guardiola could not say whether Rodri would be fit for the clash with the Ligue 1 side. “I don’t know yet, I don’t know [about Rodri’s fitness],” Guardiola said.

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