Erling Haaland says a short conversation with Riyad Mahrez on holiday was ‘enough’ to convince him to sign for Manchester City the following summer. In Haaland’s first interview as a City player, he had revealed Mahrez’s influence,
Erling Haaland said: “He told me to come to City. He was right about that. He said some good things about the club.”
Now, the striker has expanded on the conversation, saying Mahrez let Haaland know what the team spirit was like at the Etihad – a factor that ultimately persuaded the Haaland family to choose the Blues.
Erling Haaland said: “We didn’t speak a lot but you said that I should come to City and it was a good atmosphere. And this, for me, is really important in the team is the atmosphere that you enjoy every day. You just said a little bit and for me that was enough.”
Riyad Mahrez added: “I don’t think I need to convince [new signings] because everyone wants to play for a club like City. Like you said before about the atmosphere, the club, the team, the dressing room. We’ve got a top team, top lads, and that’s the most important thing.”
Mahrez’s contribution isn’t the only factor that persuaded Haaland, however, with a new Sky documentary into the transfer window featuring an interview with City’s chief financial operations officer Omar Berrada, who also discussed the club’s pitch to their new number nine.
Riyad Mahrez said: “A player like Haaland really could have chosen any top team in Europe. Almost all the top teams were interested in his signature. For us, it was about understanding what motivates him. When you boil it down to its essence, he wanted a football project. We spent a lot of time explaining the football project. He’s a strong character and the decision was taken by him but clearly the fact that his father had played for Man City, there was an affinity.”
Also in the video with Haaland and Mahrez, the pair discussed the City player most likely to become the club’s manager in future. Haaland was clear in his choice to pick Ilkay Gundogan, while Mahrez agreed and offered Kevin De Bruyne’s name as an alternative suggestion. When they were asked what quality they would like to have of another teammate, Mahrez opted to take Haaland’s power and pace, while Haaland wanted Mahrez’s first touch.
