‘HAALAND WILL NEED TO CHANGE FOR PEP ...JUST LIKE AGUERO’
EXCLUSIVE BY FORMER Manchester City star Nedum Onuoha has joked that it is almost “illegal” to add Erling Haaland to Pep Guardiola’s existing roster of superstars.
But Onuoha believes Norway striker Haaland – a £51million buy from Borussia Dortmund and son of ex-city star Alfie – will have to really go some to eclipse the club’s greatest modern-day goalscorer, Sergio Aguero.
“Getting a second generation of Haaland playing in sky blue will be fantastic,” said media pundit Onuoha, who has just released his first book Kicking Back (below).
“But Sergio was iconic, the most consequential player for Manchester City in a decade – if Haaland provides anywhere near that level of excitement, it’ll be great.
“Signing a striker like that gives City great opportunities – not that they are struggling now.
“They’re top of the league with a better goal difference than Liverpool, so to be bringing in Haaland as well it almost seems illegal!
“It will appease the mindset of some who think the only way they can be successful in the Champions League is to sign a player such as Haaland.
“But it’s no guarantee of success in the Champions League. It hasn’t worked for Paris Saint-germain with a front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
“Winning that particular trophy requires more than one individual because the competition is so elite at that level, everything has to be in your favour. People who say this is the ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ are kind of missing the point. There are big teams with big histories in the Champions League.
“So, more than simply buying him to win that trophy, I think City are futureproofing themselves.
“He’s such a good goalscorer already and he’s only 21, so his potential is massive and you might get 10 years out of him.
“That’s why he’s the most sought-after young player in world football.
“Even if doesn’t stick around longer than his five-year contract, City will certainly get good years from him.” Onuoha predicts Guardiola will make some minor tweaks next season – but not simply because of Haaland’s arrival.
And he believes the goal machine will have to adapt HIS game to suit Guardiola’s style – just like Aguero did.
“Haaland gives them great alternatives, but he will have to alter things in his game for Pep, as Aguero did,” said Onuoha, who came through City’s Academy and spent eight years at the club before joining QPR.
“City have been really successful with and without Sergio as a focal point.
“Every year the key for City, and the same with Liverpool, is to slightly rejig what you did the year before to stay top.
“As these squads get older they bring in younger players. Pep may rejig things, but not purely because Haaland is there.
“It’s because they can’t rest on their laurels. Now Pep has someone who has a big presence – Haaland adds something new to the set-up.
“He’s different, he’s quicker and stronger than people traditionally playing there.
“So, even if he plays the same position as, say Phil Foden through the middle, opponents will have to defend against him differently because he’s a giant with a great touch.
“The system won’t be broken down and redesigned, it will be added to because of the strengths the guy brings to the set-up.”