REF MILESTONE FOR WELCH
You’d have thought someone as clinical as Haaland would complement any team, even one on course for an historic Quadruple haul of trophies this season.
Along with Robert Lewandowski, Haaland is the most prolific striker in world football but, at the age of 20, is only just starting his career.
Aguero has been an out-and-out No.9 who has helped propel City to unparalleled success with a constant barrage of goals.
And while Guardiola has managed to cope without him for most of this season, having a reliable and consistent goalscorer remains a priceless commodity at the highest level.
Just imagine how many goals Haaland would score for City, given how much they dominate games and how many chances they create?
A front three axis of Haaland, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden would be something to behold.
Aguero will take some replacing, but it’s a conundrum Guardiola has to solve and Haaland appears to be his best chance of achieving ‘mission impossible.’
For all the millions lavished on superstar players during his ownership of the club, Sheikh Mansour has remained reluctant to spend big on one person.
While the amount of cash the billionaire has ploughed into City remains eye-watering, his record signing remains defender
Ruben Dias, who cost less than £62m.
Let’s not forget it was City chairman Khaldoon Al-mubarak who baulked at spending £75m on Virgil van Dijk.
Signing Haaland would cost bosses more than double this would be a startling departure their usual approach.
The deal would also come in wake of a global pandemic that changed the transfer market.
With gate receipts and other revenues significantly down, even the biggest clubs have had to take stock of their financial situations.
Deciding to sign Haaland is a huge decision, even for City, but the fact remains they are a remarkably wealthy club with the power to compete with and beat most rivals – if they are committed to getting what they want.
City and from
the has
The Spaniard signed a new deal earlier this season that, if fulfilled, will see him spend longer at City than any other club he’s managed.
The man who puts his life and soul into the job appears to have found his second wind, leading his team on a seemingly unstoppable march towards a clean sweep of silverware.
He wants to dominate the game for the foreseeable future, leaving a dynasty behind when he does decide to hand back the keys to the castle.
Signing Haaland would be a huge step towards helping him do this.
It would mean trouble for the Brazilian, that’s what. Jesus is a good player, but the harsh truth is he isn’t fit to lace the boots of either Aguero or Haaland. With
Aguero spending most of this season injured, Jesus has had the chance to stake his claim as the Argentinian’s heir apparent.
But a return of 12 goals in 30 appearances doesn’t suggest he will ever be as prolific or consistent as the legend who has gone before him.
Haaland’s arrival would leave Jesus on the outside looking in, no matter how much Guardiola likes to rotate his squad.
The obvious alternative is Harry Kane. The England and Tottenham star
REBECCA WELCH will become the first female to referee an English Football League game when she takes charge of the League Two clash between Harrogate and Port Vale on Easter Monday.
The 37-year-old (left), from Washington in County Durham, refereed the 2017 and 2020 Women’s FA Cup Finals
■ has promised to make a decision on his club future after this summer’s Euros.
He knows he will not go on to fulfil his ambitions with his boyhood club and that his huge talents deserve to be recognised with trophies.
Kane might not even be playing in the Champions League next season, let alone have a good chance of winning it.
City will be, though, and a move to the Etihad should appeal to Kane.
But like with Haaland, he won’t come cheap. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy drives a hard bargain and he will want top dollar for someone approaching their peak. and has officiated eight National League games this season.
She said: “I am still kind of trying to let it sink in at the minute.
“I got the news on Saturday and still haven’t come back down to earth. It’s very exciting, it is really good for me and the next steps of my career.”
Amy Fearn was the first woman to referee an
EFL game as she came on as an injury replacement in the 2010 Championship game between Coventry and Nottingham Forest.
But Welch is the first to be given a game from the start.
She added: “It shows that there is a real opportunity to young girls who are wondering if they are to take the whistle.”