Erling Haaland is a ‘little bit above’ Alexander Isak, and better than Mbappe, Messi and Ronaldo claims Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
Erling Haaland is better than Alexander Isak, according to the Manchester City boss.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot claimed this morning that Alexander Isak is “maybe the best striker in the world” but Pep Guardiola believes there is one man above him: Erling Haaland.
Isak joined Liverpool for a British record £125million from Newcastle on transfer deadline day and will complement an Anfield attacking arsenal that also includes Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo.
The Swede has scored 54 goals and added nine assists in his 86 Premier League appearances.
An outstanding return but still some way short of Haaland’s phenomenal record of 88 goals and 16 assists in exactly 100 top-flight games for City.
Asked where Haaland ranks given Slot believes Isak is perhaps top of the pile, Guardiola said: “A little bit above. You asked me about Erling and he is top.
“Isak must be a top player because of what they paid. Another one would say Mbappe, Messi, Cristiano… I wouldn’t change Erling for anyone. I know him. I like him.”
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Haaland ready for Manchester United clash
Haaland will be key once again for City this weekend when they welcome crosstown rivals Manchester United to the Etihad.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker comes into the game full of confidence having scored five times in Norway’s 11-1 hammering of Moldova in midweek.
He also has three goals in three Premier League games so far this season but, despite his efforts, City continue to look unconvincing as Guardiola attempts to mould his much-changed squad into a cohesive unit.
The likes of Ederson, Manuel Akanji and Ilkay Gundogan have gone and replacements brought in.
“It’d be unthinkable what we’ve done without them,” said Guardiola of the departed trio. “Ederson helped create a special way, our keeper for the best decade of this club.
“Ilkay signed when I arrived…how smart and intelligent. And Manu [Akanji] for different reasons. I wish personally all the best to all three because they helped us a lot to be who we are.”
Guardiola not panicking despite slow start
With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish also leaving the Etihad earlier in the window, it leaves Guardiola with a sizeable challenge but he is confident the early signs are promising despite two defeats in their opening three games.
He added: “The club helped to make the first step to change over many, many years. At any club there is always changes and when you change 10 players in four or five months everything needs to be settled, fixed and consistent. We are still doing many [good] things but we still need to be more consistent than we have been, but step-by-step we will do it.”
Guardiola does have some injury concerns for the game against Ruben Amorim’s United, however.
“Omar [Marmoush] came back from Egypt injured. Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki are out. John Stones is a doubt but not a ‘big issue’. The rest are okay,” he said, before adding on Marmoush. “We have to wait for tests but a few weeks I think. Before the international break he will be ready.”