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"I just want to play football": Erling Haaland is dissatisfied
Photo:
KAI PFAFFENBACH / REUTERS
Dortmund's joy at the 5:1 (3:0) in the top game against Freiburg quickly evaporated. Even while his teammates were being celebrated by only 750 fans, Erling Haaland proved to be a spoilsport. Angered by the club's demand that his future be clarified by March, the striker found clear words on Norwegian TV Viaplay Football. "For the last six months I've decided not to say anything out of respect for Dortmund. But now the club have started urging me to make a decision. But all I want is to play soccer,” he lamented.
The criticism of the 21-year-old exceptional striker at the approach of the BVB club leadership should further reduce the chance of his whereabouts. "It means that something is going to happen now," commented Haaland, who can leave the Bundesliga second for 75 million euros this summer due to an exit clause despite a contract that runs until 2024. When asked when the ideal time for a decision came, he replied: "Not now because we are in the middle of a difficult phase with many games."
In a first reaction to the explosive statements of the exceptional striker, BVB managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke asked for understanding of the club's position.
»Erling is a spontaneous person and still a young lad, he's allowed to do that, that's no problem.
But he also has to have a bit of understanding for our situation.
When he wakes up tomorrow, he will have it," he told the Funke Mediengruppe.
Watzke believes that the 21-year-old Norwegian's accusation of being put under pressure is exaggerated: "There are currently no talks or appointments, so I can't understand it." The club can't wait until May, "that will make sense to him too .
As a professional, he also has to understand that at some point you will talk about the future.«
aha/dpa