Elliot Anderson, a new addition to Manchester City, has addressed comments made by teammate Erling Haaland on social media. Haaland reportedly made a jibe about Anderson following an incident during the recent World Cup, which took place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Haaland’s Norway team was eliminated in the quarter-final stage of the tournament, losing 2-1 to England. The Norwegian striker posted a picture on Instagram with the caption: “Back to sunny Manchester!” In response to a fan’s comment, “Say hi to Anderson for me,” Haaland replied with “The diver?”
World Cup Incident and Reaction
The comment from Haaland referred to a moment during the World Cup quarter-final. During the match, with the score at 1-1, a goal for Norway was disallowed by VAR. Officials identified Haaland pushing Anderson to the ground, leading to the goal being overturned. Some observers felt Anderson went down easily, while others suggested the midfielder had initiated contact with Haaland.
Anderson, 23, confirmed he had seen Haaland’s Instagram post. He described the situation as “funny” and noted that Haaland was “completely honest” with him. Anderson also mentioned that Haaland was supportive during pre-season training, calling him “a really good guy.”
Manchester City reportedly spent £116 million to bring the England international to the Etihad Stadium. Both players were present for pre-season training following their World Cup involvement.
Players return for Premier League season
Haaland, the Coca-Cola Premier League Golden Boot winner from last season, returned to Manchester City after scoring seven goals for Norway in the FIFA World Cup. His post-World Cup activities included attending a fashion show and meeting a basketball figure.
Other players have also rejoined their Premier League clubs after their World Cup participation. Enzo Fernandez, Malo Gusto, and Reece James reported back to Chelsea. New signings Morgan Rogers, Jordan Henderson, Valentin Barco, and Maxence Lacroix also trained with Chelsea for the first time.
Arsenal welcomed back several players, including Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke. David Raya and Bukayo Saka also returned to the club last week. Some players have returned with new looks; Saka displayed a braided haircut at Arsenal, while Dan Burn of Newcastle United sported a slicked-back style.
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool also garnered attention for a new hairstyle. Initially posting a picture with long hair, he later revealed a shaven head following a hair transplant surgery after the World Cup.
In other club news, Pep Chavarria has joined Chelsea from Rayo Vallecano. The 28-year-old Spanish left-back signed a five-year deal. His career progression saw him move from lower Spanish divisions to LaLiga before his move to London. Chavarria expressed that joining Chelsea was a childhood goal, stating, “I’ve played at every level in Spain, and to be able to move up, it’s always been about hard work because today is my dream coming true.”
Gustavo Hamer has rejoined Coventry City. The 29-year-old midfielder, who previously played for Coventry from 2020 to 2023, scoring 19 goals in 132 appearances, returns to the CBS Arena after a spell with Sheffield United. Hamer stated that going to the Premier League with Coventry was a dream, making his return “very special.”
Matthias Jaissle, the new manager for Newcastle, has already had a song created by supporters. Jaissle acknowledged the chant at his official unveiling at St James’ Park, noting that his staff had informed him about it. He mentioned, “I heard it once. I was smiling.”
Crystal Palace has signed Oscar Mingueza from Celta Vigo. The Spanish defender showcased his piano skills to teammates and fans. Additionally, Crystal Palace confirmed the return of forward Evann Guessand on a season-long loan from Aston Villa, with an option to buy. Guessand spent the latter half of last season on loan at Selhurst Park, contributing to their UEFA Conference League win.
Source: goal.com
