Aside from witnessing the addition of one of the most feared strikers in European football at present, a major factor behind the collective buzz amongst Manchester City fans across the globe in regards to Erling Haaland’s impending arrival is his connection to the club.
With the player’s father, Alfie previously playing for Manchester City, as well as the striking sensation being pictured at the Etihad Stadium as a fan on multiple occasions, supporters of the reigning Premier League champions are understandably enamoured by the romance of his signing.
As a result, several fans have voiced their opinion about the Norwegian goalscorer being handed the number 15 shirt in order to carry on his father’s legacy in the blue side of Manchester.
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Much like how Phil Foden has strayed away from a more traditional shirt number to instead sport the now iconic number 47 on his back, a chunk of Manchester City’s supporter base have been clamouring for Haaland to be individualistic in staying true to his family’s deep-rooted affinity with the football club.
However, the former RB Salzburg talisman may be set to go his own way, as his desire for a different shirt number has been detailed.
As per a report by Pol Ballus of The Athletic, Erling Haaland’s ‘preferred’ shirt number choice at the Etihad Stadium would be the number 9 - continuing the trend from his last two seasons at Bundesliga giants, Borussia Dortmund.
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Additionally, it is stated that while there is no confirmation about which shirt number he is set to sport at the Etihad Stadium, it is a very significant decision from a shirt sales and a marketing point of view.
It has also been mentioned that both the player and his camp were ‘very keen’ on him wearing the number 9 shirt for Norway as well, in order to increase the power of his own personal brand within football and as a result, he has done so since March this year.
Interestingly, it has been claimed that the first-team unit at Manchester City’s stance is that as long as Gabriel Jesus remains a player at the Sky Blues, they do not want him to be ‘stripped’ of his current shirt number. It is believed that doing so would send a ‘bad message’ to the rest of the dressing room, with the City squad holding the opinion that it would be better if any changes with regards to shirt numbers come in a more ‘natural’ way.
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With an exit for Gabriel Jesus from the Etihad Stadium edging closer and closer by the day, it seems inevitable that Erling Haaland will be the natural recipient of the number 9 shirt at Manchester City.
Topics: Manchester City, Erling Haaland, Premier League
Srinivas Sadhanand