Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has named Erling Haaland as one of the best forwards he has worked with during his remarkable career, having already met the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Aguero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Haaland has scored 20 goals this season in 13 games since his recent summer move from Borussia Dortmund. It ended an incredible run of three consecutive Premier League trebles at home, and Guardiola immediately joked that he was "embarrassed" to once have his new superstar score and had to "sack him".
As City now prepare for Copenhagen in the Champions League - Haaland scored two goals in the return last week. "He's one of the best," Guardiola said in a pre-match conference. "I have many very good strikers and Erling is one of them. "He is an understanding and good man. He can do it for the team, but we had to work together and it happened. I talk a lot about him, but sometimes I shouldn't, because I have to talk in numbers."
After struggling with injuries at Borussia Dortmund last season and making just 30 appearances in all competitions, there were concerns about how Haaland would react physically at City.
However, Guardiola, who gave Haaland a permanent break at the start of the season, recently revealed that City have the player's fitness under control and that he is now fit to play regularly. The two-time Champions League winner does not rule out building a starting line-up against Copenhagen, but admits fatigue may be a factor in team selection.
"It is true that there is a risk of fatigue. “[Tuesday] I will make the list. "I will discuss it with the athletes, doctors and physiotherapists and make a decision," he said.
With Haaland Guardiola was a visionary. He has truly incredible strength and goalscoring ability. With the values that are handled in current football, he can surpass (in price) the mark that Messi and Ronaldo had in their best times.