Kristoffer Ajer says Erling Haaland is focused despite Man City case
Erling Haaland remains fully focused on Norway’s Nations League trip to Wales despite the mounting fallout around Manchester City’s financial case, team-mate Kristoffer Ajer has said.
Haaland has been on international duty while the Premier League’s findings into City’s alleged financial breaches have dominated the agenda. The Norway striker joined City in 2022 and was not at the club during the nine-season period under scrutiny, but his status as their leading star has placed him in the spotlight.
Norway face Wales at Cardiff City Stadium on the next matchday, needing a result after their 2-1 home loss to Portugal. Haaland scored in that defeat in Oslo and followed it with two goals during a 3-2 win over Denmark.
The 26-year-old now has 65 goals from 57 senior appearances for Norway.
Ajer: Haaland has not changed
Brentford centre-back Ajer said Haaland has shown no sign of being affected by events involving his club.
“He has been exactly as he always is with the national team,” Ajer said. “He is really concentrated on the next games. I think he is doing what everyone else is doing, waiting to see what the result will be, but the focus now is Wales tomorrow night.”
Ajer added that Haaland continues to bring the same spirit to the Norway camp despite his global profile.
“Since I first met him, he has brought energy and joy to the group,” he said. “The greatest compliment I can give him is that he has not changed at all since then, even though he is the biggest star in the world now. He has been the same in recent days too, and that does not surprise me.”
What happens next
Norway are second in League A Group 4 on three points, level with Denmark and three behind Portugal, who lead the section with six. Wales are bottom without a point.
Victory in Cardiff would put Norway’s campaign back on track after the Portugal setback, with Haaland expected to lead the attack again.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken offered little detail when asked about the forward’s mindset. He described Haaland as “very good” in training and said he was scoring goals, while noting that the striker had missed an unusual chance against Portugal.
Asked whether he had spoken privately with Haaland about the Manchester City situation, Solbakken said: “What we speak about is between him and me.”
