John Stones says Haaland is only just getting started

Last Premier League season was only the beginning for Premier League Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland, his Manchester City teammate John Stones predicted in Seoul on Saturday.

Manchester City's John Stones speaks during a media event at Koreana Hotel in Jongno District, central Seoul on Saturday. [PAIK JI-HWAN]

Last Premier League season was only the beginning for Premier League Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland, his Manchester City teammate John Stones predicted in Seoul on Saturday.

City and England defender Stones shared his thoughts on the enigmatic Norwegian star during a media event at the Koreana Hotel in Jongno District, central Seoul on Saturday.

Stones arrived in Korea Thursday with City to participate in the Coupang Play Series — an annual exhibition series launched last year — where the team will play Atletico Madrid.

“Sometimes I can rise to it and still not get anywhere near him [Haaland],” Stones said. “Erling is an incredible professional, so he won’t settle for last season and he will want more and he set a very high standard, high bar, but I do believe he can go on and achieve more this season.”

Stones is a core part of the City squad, leading the team’s defense to only concede 33 goals in the league — the joint fewest conceded last season alongside Newcastle United.

“I think we’ve just got to continue where we left off,” he said. “I feel like we got a feeling back of everyone is on the same page of the story of finishing off where we left off and going back into the season trying to achieve even more.”

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after beating Yokohama F. Marinos in a friendly match in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday. [AP/YONHAP]

Having joined City ahead of the 2022-23 Premier League season after successful years at Bundesliga team Borussia Dortmund, Haaland quickly adapted to the squad and became a key player behind the team’s remarkable run.

He was the top scorer in the 2022-23 Premier League campaign, scoring 36 goals in 35 matches to break the record for most goals scored in a single season. The previous best record was 34 goals shared by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.

He also managed three goals in the FA Cup and scored 12 in the Champions League, which allowed City to win both the Champions League and the treble for the first time in club history.

Considering Haaland is only 23 years old, he will likely improve further and win more trophies in the upcoming seasons.

City will first test out their strong squad ahead of the next campaign in a preseason game against Atletico, where both Stones and Haaland will likely be in action too.

The match will kick off at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on Saturday at 8 p.m.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]