Pep Guardiola said back in March that Manchester needed a center forward.
Now, with Erling Haland on the way from Borussia Dortmund this summer the Catalan will have his man.
“You say we’re playing fantastically well without the number 9 because we’re winning.” Guardiola told the BBC.
“When we don’t, you say we’re missing a striker.”
the form Manchester protect Mika Richardswho is now an expert on television in England, believes Haland will take citizens to the next level.
“He will take Citygame into another dimension,” said Richards.
“He will put pressure on the defenders, he will be a cross threat, he will hold the ball and open gaps like no striker on the team.
“Now they miss a lot of chances. They won’t be with him. I don’t believe it’s out of style.”
Haland will be the frontman Guardiolatwo favorite formations (4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1) and could even play 4-4-2 with Gabriel Jesus – if he stays in the club – or with a new arrival Julian Alvarez.
Manchester City top scorer
Alan Shearerthe legendary English forward, cannot but praise Haland.
“A striker like him with chances City generate, will score 40 goals in a season.” Shearer Athletic said.
“This is a great team without number 9, and with him they will be almost perfect.
“They press and steal the ball high on the field and Erling Haland take advantage of it.”
Halandthe numbers are scary. He is close to the average of one goal per game in Borussia Dortmund (85 out of 88), a score he has already surpassed since Red Bull Salzburg (29 out of 27).
His 28 goals in 29 games this season with Dortmundin which he missed 16 games due to injury, best 24 of Riyadh Mahrezthis season’s top scorer for City.
Guardiola and fake number 9
Since he dazzled by winning a six on Barcelona, Guardiola was not always faithful to the classic center forwards.
Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry, David Villa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were moved from center forward to Leo Messi. Robert Lewandowski has been immovable since joining Bayern Munich…but before that Guardiola used Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller forward.
And in Citydespite the presence Sergio AgueroI have tried a number of other options.
Phil Foden (21 matches), Gabriel Jesus (17) Jack Grealish (sixteen), Raheem Sterling (fifteen), Mahrez (nine), Bernard Silva (5), Fernando Torres (four) and Cole Palmer (one) was his number 9 in the Premier League that year after leaving omen. They wanted to sign Harry Kane last summer.
“I have always had a striker on my team. Guardiola said.
“Like a goalkeeper, a striker is the work of a specialist. And I always play with one of them.”
Now he will be one of the best in the business.
“He’s coming for a long time and I’m sure he’ll be a great fit for our team” Guardiola said about Haland.
“He’s an incredible young talent and he’s at the perfect age.”
AT pepit’s a puzzle Haland fit well.