Erling Haaland has been unaffected by the "sham contract" verdict against Manchester City, according to the Norway camp he's been with since the news broke. Haaland will play for the first time since the Premier League's confirmation of City's financial rule breaches when Norway take on Wales in Cardiff on Thursday ( ). The 28-year-old was kept away from the media before and after Norway's Nations League defeat by Portugal on Sunday after reports of City's guilty verdict first emerged, As expected, Haaland was not put in front of the cameras as the World Cup quarter-finalists arrived in Wales amid headlines over his club and what next for the former champions, who continue to deny any wrongdoing.
Haaland signed for City in 2022, four years after the last of the nine seasons City were found to have broken financial rules, and is seen as their biggest star. He trained as normal at Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday evening, with Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer saying the 26-year-old had been "no different" since the news broke. Live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.
Manager Stale Solbakken attempted to deflect questions, tersely saying Haaland was "very good" and "scoring goals" before admitting he did miss one chance against Portugal he would normally have finished. But asked if he had to speak to the forward because of the extra focus, Solbakken replied: "What we speak about is between him and me." Ajer did offer more of an insight, saying Haaland remained fully focused halfway through this four-game Nations League window. "He's been exactly the way he's always the same with the national team," said Ajer.
"He's truly focused on the upcoming games. I think he's trying to do the same as everyone else, wait and see what the outcome is - but right now the main focus is Wales tomorrow night. That's clearly been his way of doing it." Asked if he had seen a difference in Haaland since the news broke, 59-cap Ajer said: "No not at all.
Ever since I met him brings lot of energy and joy to the group. "The biggest compliment I always give is that he hasn't changed a bit from the moment I met him even though he's the biggest star on the planet right now. "He's been exactly the same the last few days as well which is not a surprise for me." Questions about Wales form not unfair - Bellamy Bellamy sure Wales belong as Haaland threat looms £1.2bn on transfers with £830m inflated in sponsorships - Man City's 'asterisk era' Haaland - who scored in the 2-1 defeat by Portugal in Oslo and twice in the 3-2 win over Denmark to make it 65 in 57 appearances for his national side - could link up with Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard.
The Norway captain trained in Cardiff following the challenge from former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva that was the subject of criticism on Friday night. Solbakken praised Bellamy's impact on Wales, despite their winless run of six, saying he has "modern ideas" and suggested the side are simply low in confidence after missing out on a place in the summer's World Cup following a play-off defeat on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ajer added he could see similarities between the sides, saying: "It's a similar population and the same work ethic from both countries.
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