Can celebrity striker Erling Haaland attain the heights of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola definitely thinks so.
Guardiola — Messi’s coach at Barcelona when his profession started to peak in 2008-2012 — in contrast Haaland to 2 of soccer’s best gamers after Man Metropolis opened the English Premier League season with a 2-0 win vs. Chelsea on Sunday.
“He (Haaland) has the numbers for Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who managed the final decade, 15 years, completely every little thing,” Guardiola informed reporters, per ESPN. “When it comes to numbers, it’s that degree. So, I do not understand how he does it, however in 100 video games scoring 91 targets is one thing in [the] Premier League on this nation. [It] is unbelievable.”
Haaland marked his one hundredth look for Man Metropolis by netting the primary objective at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge on Sunday as his workforce started its marketing campaign for a fifth straight EPL title. It additionally took his tally to 5 targets in three league openers since becoming a member of Metropolis in 2022.
Guardiola additionally raved about Haaland’s present well being standing, saying that the 24-year-old is absolutely rested after a summer time off after his nationwide workforce, Norway, didn’t qualify for the 2024 Euros.
“I had a sense that he feels higher than final season at this stage,” Guardiola stated. “After journey final season, he felt … drained. This season, I believe for the Euros, sadly, Norway was not there. There was extra relaxation and yeah, he feels good.
“The objective was magnificent.”
Haaland gave his workforce the lead within the 18th minute and former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic added a strike from simply outdoors the realm within the 84th to make it a harsh welcome for brand spanking new Chelsea coach — and former Man Metropolis assistant — Enzo Maresca in his first sport in cost.
Man Metropolis is the heavy favourite to win a fifth consecutive Premier League title this season, regardless of Guardiola telling reporters earlier this week that “the motivation to win the Premier [League] isn’t there for me” at this level within the yr.
“Will probably be within the final month,” Guardiola clarified.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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Erling Haaland
Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
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