Nathan Ake gives view on Erling Haaland's ability to handle superstar pressure

22 July 2023 , 21:30

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Nathan Ake has praised Erling Haaland (Image: Getty Images)

Nathan Ake insists that Erling Haaland can handle the pressure of now being a global superstar.

Haaland celebrated his 23rd birthday on Friday and is expected to take the Premier League by storm again next season after smashing 52 goals for treble-winning Manchester City last season.

Dutch defender Ace has seen the Norwegian’s incredible impact - and reckons he still has the same humility as when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund last year.

Ake said: Erling handles it all very well. It must be sometimes difficult to get all the attention he gets, but he is a very humble person. He is still only 23 and he achieved all these things in his career - but he is hungry and ready for more.

“Erling pushes himself to get better numbers. That's what great players have - that mentality - but his character keeps him on the ground. It doesn't change him too much.”

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Ake was outstanding last season as City lifted the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup. And he says that Haaland isn’t the only one at the Etihad who wants more.

Ake said: “Last season was a great season for every one of us - but football keeps going forward. We have the mentality to go again. Our first objective is the Community Shield and then the Super Cup and Club World Cup. There's plenty to go and win. The manager demands that everyone pushes to keep reaching the next level.”

Simon Mullock