Erling Haaland news: Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has said the Norwegian striker became a liability to the club towards the end of his spell with the German side.
Haaland left Dortmund in the 2022 summer transfer window. The 22-year-old has joined Premier League side Manchester City. Haaland has signed a five-year contract with the English team.
Haaland left Dortmund after two and a half seasons with them. During that period, he further cemented his position as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.
Haaland featured in 89 games for Dortmund during that period and scored a staggering 86 goals for the Bundesliga side. Of those 62 goals were scored in the German top flight.
Erling Haaland news: Sebastian Kehl insists the timing of the sale was right
Kehl has claimed that Haaland became a burden both in the Dortmund dressing room and for the club towards the end.
Dortmund’s sporting director also insisted that the timing of his sale to Man City was the right one, not only for them but also for the Premier League side.
“As much as we have always appreciated Erling and the success he has had with our shirt, in the end, the matter had definitely become a burden, both in the dressing room and for the club. In general, for the whole environment, it was just him,” Kehl told BILD.
He added: “The timing of the sale was right, both for us and for City. The fact that our first 10 goals this season have been scored by 10 different players shows that.”
Meanwhile, Haaland has instantly hit the ground running at Man City following his summer move to the club. He has already reached double figures in terms of goals scored for Man City.
Haaland made his competitive debut for Man City in their 3–1 loss to Liverpool in the FA Community Shield final.
The Norwegian international made his Premier League debut in the following game and marked his arrival with a brace. He scored two goals as Man City beat West Ham.
Haaland has so far racked up 10 goals for Man City in the Premier League, including two successive hat-tricks. His hat-tricks came against Crystal Palace in Man City’s 4-2 comeback and 6-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest.
Haaland also starred in Man City’s 22/23 Champions League season opener, scoring twice in a 4-0 win over Sevilla.
