Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has revealed how difficult it is playing against tough defenders in the English Premier League referencing his tussle with Calvin Bassey in the Etihad's club nervy win against Fulham last time out, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Pep Guardiola's side recorded a 5-4 victory with Fulham's comeback ignited by Nigerian trio in Iwobi, Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze who scored brace late on in the game after coming on as a substitute.
“It's not easy [playing in the Premier League]. It's hard, it's very hard. Coming from Germany, here, it's different; it's more physical,” the Norwegian stated on the Rest is Football podcast.
“It's more about duels, about contact. Even playing against Fulham, that's a top team. Look at the game, it's 5-4 in the end.
“It's incredible. When you play against Bassey, you know. How strong is he?
“Then you have Andersen, who's huge. Every game comes with its perks, even though you have your own plans. In the end, the physicality is intense because you also have so many games.
“That also means you have to work more on the recovery side and be ready for the next game,” he added.
The intensity of the EPL is not to be overlooked with Bassey also struggling in the first few months when he joined from Ajax but he has since gone on to establish himself as a key part of Marco Silva's team.
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye