Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji says teammate Erling Haaland could hit 50 goals this season.

The Norwegian has made a sensational start to life at Manchester City – scoring 19 goals in his first 11 games, 14 of them in the league.

Alan Shearer and Andy Cole both reached 34 in a single campaign – and that has been the benchmark for over 25 years.

But asked if hotshot Haaland could hit a half century, City team-mate Akanji said: “If he stays healthy then I think there is nothing that can stop him, yeah."

The Swiss international has been a team-mate of Haaland at club level for the past three years as the pair were together at Borussia Dortmund.

He knows how to tackle the 22-year-old – but is not prepared to give up any tips to his rivals ahead of today's visit of struggling Southampton, who have lost 9-0 twice in Prem history.

Haaland is on the hunt for a fourth successive Etihad hat-trick after trebles against Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

Akanji told talkSPORT: “I try to stop him in training and I know how I do it - but I hope other defenders can't do it and he keeps scoring.

“So I'm not going to give them any help. We need a finisher and it really helps the team a lot."