Man City player explains what Erling Haaland was like on first day of training after ‘diver’ comment

Erling Haaland had an impressive World Cup tournament in North America, helping his country reach the quarter-finals.

Haaland had the best goals-per-90 ratio of any player at the World Cup who scored four or more, and became a very popular figure on social media during the summer.

But the Norwegian has now finally returned to Manchester City ahead of their 2026/27 season getting underway.

After coming back to training for the first time on Wednesday, he has linked up with Elliot Anderson, whom the striker recently called a ‘diver’ on social media.

Elliot Anderson responds to Erling Haaland ‘diver’ comment

Anderson secured a transfer to Man City over the summer, meaning he is actually yet to play a game with Haaland.

However, the two were on opposing sides at the World Cup when England beat Norway in the quarter-finals.

Norway had a goal ruled out in that clash after Haaland was adjudged to have fouled Anderson in the build-up.

On the back of that, the attacker recently commented on a social media post to call his new teammate a ‘diver’.

Now, as per The Athletic, Anderson has responded to that post after he linked up with Haaland at City training for the first time on Wednesday.

The Englishman found the funny side of the comment, though, before adding that the Norway star has actually been good to him and is helping him settle in.

He said: “He has been calling me a diver, hasn’t he? It was funny. He has been really good today and has helped me settle in.”

After beating Haaland’s team, England lost to Argentina in the semi-finals, which Anderson also commented on in the same interview.

He said: “It’s really hard. I’m still sort of struggling with that now. There are highs and lows in football. It’s about how you bounce back. I’ve had three weeks to reflect on it but now is a new season, you have to move forward.”

Man City are now due to play Arsenal in the Community Shield this Sunday.

Read more: