Graeme Souness has confidently predicted Erling Haaland will take Manchester City to “another level” following his impressive Premier League debut.
Haaland announced himself in style on his first league outing for the Blues as he scored twice to guide his new side to a 2-0 win at West Ham in their opening game of the 2022/23 campaign. The Norwegian’s brace ensured City got their title defence off to the perfect start with three points.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker has been widely tipped to take the Premier League by storm in his first season in England. And while he went without a goal in the Community Shield defeat to Liverpool the previous weekend, he silenced doubters with a superb display at the London Stadium.
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Haaland represents something of a change in dynamic from City this season, with the 22-year-old one of the leading No.9s in the world. City have operated without an out-and-out striker for much of Pep Guardiola’s time in charge, particularly last season.
And former Liverpool midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Souness believes Haaland’s qualities as a more conventional forward will help City reach new heights. “I think he’s a bit of a throwback, he wants to run forward without the ball — he got his goal doing that,” Souness told talkSPORT.
“If you’re a midfield player or any player and you’ve got a centre forward that doesn’t come to the ball, stretching the play, giving midfielders more room to play in, he’ll be an asset to them."
Haaland arrives at City a year after they failed to sign Harry Kane, with Guardiola having eyed up a new frontman for some time. While Haaland offers a different dynamic to the Tottenham striker, Souness nevertheless believes he can make the same impact.
He added: “If Man City had pushed the boat out an extra mile and got Harry Kane, they would’ve been a different team. Kane takes them to another level. This man will do the same.”
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