Manchester City striker Riyad Mahrez says the team's style of play has not changed much with the arrival of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. "I don't think we've changed much. Obviously Erling is a different type of striker to what we've had in the past. Sometimes we can play a little bit more direct with him because he's big and strong.
"Other than that, we're playing the same way as usual. The only thing that surprised me was the number of goals he scored. I didn't expect that! He's already scored a lot of goals. Erling plays an important role in the box and he's a very good player for us," Mahrez told Manchester City's official website.
Haaland's arrival at Manchester City has undoubtedly had an impact on the team's tactics and style of play, but Mahrez's comments suggest that the team's overall identity and approach have remained largely intact. Despite Haaland's physical qualities and goalscoring prowess, the team has not had to radically alter its gameplay to accommodate the new striker.
Mahrez's remarks underline Haaland's seamless integration into the City squad, with the Norwegian forward appearing to fit in well and complement the existing style of play. The Algerian winger's surprise at Haaland's goalscoring exploits underlines the player's exceptional form and ability to make an immediate impact at the club.
However, Mahrez's assessment also suggests that Manchester City's core playing philosophy, which has been the foundation of their success in recent years, remains intact. The team's ability to retain its identity and style of play while incorporating a dynamic new striker like Haaland is testament to the club's tactical flexibility and the adaptability of its players.
This continuity in style of play, combined with Haaland's individual quality, could be a significant advantage for Manchester City as they look to defend their Premier League title and challenge for further trophies this season. Mahrez's comments provide an interesting insight into the team dynamic and the impact of Haaland's arrival, highlighting the Norwegian forward's seamless integration into the existing setup.
