Erling Haaland's Hot Form and New Look Lead Manchester City's Charge

Erling Haaland is back among the goals and at the centre of attention for Manchester City. The Norwegian striker scored a brace in a 13-point Fantasy Premier League haul against Crystal Palace in Gameweek Two, silencing any doubts after a goalless opening weekend. His red-hot start coincides with a dramatic personal change, as he debuted a shaved head, and comes as City complete a record-breaking squad rebuild.

Why is Haaland a Fantasy Premier League must-have?

Haaland's early-season statistics are formidable. After two games, he has taken 10 shots, with five on target and nine coming from inside the box. He leads the league in several key goal-threat metrics. This explosive form has Fantasy managers planning to use their Triple Captain chip on him for Gameweek Three, when City host newly-promoted Coventry City. With no midweek fixtures to cause fatigue, Haaland is expected to be fresh and ready to add to his tally.

His physical readiness is matched by a sharp mental state, a balance he credits to life away from the pitch.

How has fatherhood changed Haaland's approach?

In an interview from October 5, 2025, Haaland revealed how becoming a father has improved his game. Speaking after a 1-0 win over Brentford where he scored the winner, he explained the mental benefits. "You can be physically ready but you need to be mentally ready as well," Haaland told Sky Sports. "And with a kid, it makes me even better." He said fatherhood helps him switch off from football and return to training with a clearer mind. This perspective arrived during a phenomenal run where he scored in nine straight games for club and country.

What's behind Haaland's surprising new haircut?

Gone is Haaland's signature long blonde hair. For the new Premier League season, the striker revealed a buzz cut, posting a video on Instagram with the caption "New season, new trim." The clip captured the immediate reaction of his girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen. "I think I’m gonna cry," she laughed upon seeing it, before reassuring him, "You look cute." When Haaland protested, she amended her assessment to "really tough." Teammate Jack Grealish also weighed in, joking that the new look made Haaland appear "about 10 years old."

Johansen herself announced a style change days later. On August 23, 2026, she posted photos of a new shoulder-length haircut on Instagram, captioning it "A lil refresh for fall."

Has Manchester City's rebuild left Haaland without cover?

While Haaland shines, questions linger about the squad behind him. Manchester City have undertaken a massive overhaul, spending a Premier League record £458m this summer under new boss Enzo Maresca. The midfield has been completely transformed with big-money signings like Enzo Fernandez (£125m) and Elliot Anderson (£116m). However, the focus on revamping other areas has led to speculation about whether the club has secured adequate backup for their star striker. Only four players remain from the squad that won the 2023 Champions League, highlighting the scale of change.

• Key Takeaways
• Erling Haaland has 5 shots on target and 9 shots in the box after two Premier League games.
• He credits fatherhood with improving his mental readiness and overall performance.
• Haaland and his girlfriend, Isabel Johansen, have both debuted new haircuts for the 2026-27 season.
• Manchester City's summer spending reached a record £458m, heavily focused on midfield recruits.