ERLING A LOSS TO ENGLAND
ENGLAND should be heading to the Qatar World Cup finals with a dream striking partnership – Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
Norway-based Bryan King was Everton’s Scandinavian scout when he recommended a 15-year-old Haaland to the Toffees – and believes England missed out on the Norwegian ace too
After seeing Haaland, now 21, complete his £51million move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City, former Millwall goalkeeper King believes the Three Lions should have nipped in ahead of Norway to secure the forward’s talents on the international stage.
King (below) said: “Erling was born in Leeds and grew up as a Manchester City fan through his dad Alf-Inge.
“He was qualified to play for England. Yes, Norway were on his case from an early age, but there would still have been time for England to have made a move before he had played a competitive international.
“Norway, where he moved to when he was three, was probably always going to be his choice, but you don’t know until you ask.
“Could you imagine him and Kane up front for England? The pair of them would have created carnage. Two players born to score goals. An incredible pairing, giving England an even better chance of winning the World Cup.”
King, 75, reflected on his one-time employers Everton failing to back his judgement on the £51m-man as a youngster, and said: “We could have had him for a compensation fee of £60,000 – but that’s in the past now.
“He’s a fantastic addition to the City armoury. I think, with the father’s background with City, he was destined to end up there eventually – though I can’t understand how Manchester United have missed Haaland in previous years, with him being at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s club Molde.
“Of course, there are always question marks about any young player coming into a new league.
“But Haaland’s pace and power are exceptional. I’ve heard people say he doesn’t do enough outside the penalty area. How much did Solskjaer do outside the box? But could he finish? One-touch finishes, there was no one better.
“It’s the same with Haaland. He is a brilliant finisher. His record in Germany is phenomenal.”