Joleon Lescott warned that Erling Haaland cannot be expected to break even more records after his remarkable debut season in England.
Haaland arrived in the Premier League in style last term, scoring 36 goals – a competition record for a 38-game season.
The Manchester City star scored a further 16 goals in other competitions, finishing on a remarkable 52 for the campaign.
But former City defender Lescott does not believe it can be expected that the 23-year-old continues setting records.
“We can’t expect him to continue to break a record every year. It’d be difficult to do that,” Lescott said to Stats Perform.
“I think if he maintains the level that he set, then he’s going to be an iconic player for the Premier League, for Manchester City.
“Defenders will have to adapt to what he does and what he’s done because if they didn’t then he would continue to score the goals that he has.
“So I’m sure there will be different approaches and different solutions for [playing against] Erling this season.”
Haaland spearheaded City’s charge to a treble last season, and Lescott sees his old team as being the very best in the world as it stands.
“They’re the best team in Europe for sure,” he said.
“Obviously, with the Super Cup and hopefully the Club World Cup to come soon, we can have that honour of being recognised as the best team in the world, but you have to win the honours in order to do that.”
City ultimately won the Premier League last term by five points, but they were pushed hard by Arsenal, who led the top flight for much of the season.
And Lescott feels there will be plenty of challengers to their crown in the coming campaign.
“Obviously, Arsenal were there or thereabouts last season. So I anticipate that challenge,” he said.
“Liverpool again, they’ve been on par to a certain extent with Manchester City over the last few seasons. Manchester United have recruited new players, so I’m sure every team going into the start of the season believes they can win.”
After facing Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, City play Burnley in their opening Premier League fixture, before taking on Europa League winners Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.
