This season’s Indian Super League (ISL) could be having a bit of Erling Haaland in it. Not that the prolific goal-scorer from Manchester City could be seen during the competition, but Punjab FC striker Mushaga Bakenga — also from Norway — wants to emulate the 24-year-old Norwegian’s style.

However, the story doesn’t end there.

When Haaland was only 17 and toiling to prove himself in the Norwegian top division club Molde FK, he had asked Bakenga, who was then playing for Tromso, “for a picture” alongside, also seeking a few tips from the latter. “The next time when I tried to get in touch with Haaland, I couldn’t reach him.

“Times have changed... He has become the Haaland that he’s now,” Bakenga said during an ISL programme at a city hotel on Wednesday.

Later, while speaking to The Telegraph, the 32-year-old centre-forward who can also operate from the flanks, said: “After joining Red Bull Salzburg (in early 2019), his career simply took off... It has just kept going up and up and he hasn’t looked back at all since then.

“What Haaland has been able to achieve since joining Salzburg has been amazing. He has kept performing unbelievably well.”

Haaland’s career skyrocketed as he moved to Man City following stints in Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.

Bakenga, though, hasn’t given up hopes of reconnecting with the Man City goal-poacher.

“I plan to have him for my podcast later this year. Let’s see if I can get in touch with him again. I’m hopeful though,” he stated.

What really makes Haaland special? Bakenga feels, “It’s that uncanny knack of his to suddenly make his presence felt all of a sudden after being kind of invisible for a while.

“That’s truly something special. And then there’s his wonderful conversion rate.”

Even in the current edition of the Premier League, Haaland has already made an impact for City with as many as seven goals from just three appearances, being a good distance ahead of the rest on the goal-scorers list.

“It’s not only about his physical strength. That’s one part,” Bakenga said.

“He uses his head, his intelligence just as well to provide himself with the opportunity to score a goal. He’s evolved brilliantly as a footballer.”

Bakenga hopes he too can be invisible for a while and suddenly make his presence felt in the final third for Punjab FC in this ISL, just as Haaland does. If he can execute it well, Punjab FC will certainly not be asking for anything better in their second season in the ISL.