Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has delivered a massive verdict on Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. The summer recruit, which only cost City £54 million has already caused havoc in the Premier League, silencing his critiques who claimed he won’t make it big in the physically demanding league. Haaland has netted 9 goals in 5 league games so far, which include back-to-back hat-tricks against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
Carragher believes Haaland could join the league of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry at the end of his Premier League stint. The former Arsenal striker is regarded as the best ever player to grace the English top flight by many, including Carragher himself. Part of the Arsenal ‘invincibles’ side which went a full Premier League campaign unbeaten, Henry amassed 175 goals in just 258 league appearances for the Gunners.
Carragher claims Erling Haaland’s name will be taken alongside Thierry Henry
While one may argue Jamie Carragher is rushing to make such claims, it cannot be denied that at such pace, Haaland could well engrave his name alongside Thierry Henry. The Norwegian’s move to reigning Premier League champions was doubted by many who felt his injury issues could limit him from racking up the numbers he had at Borussia Dortmund.
However, the 22-year-old has so far proved his doubters wrong amassing 10 goal contributions [9 goals and 1 assist] in just 5 league games. Talking about the same, Carragher on Sky Sports News said:
“He [Erling Haaland] just looks absolutely amazing. I’m doing the game on Saturday at Villa Park – Aston Villa vs Manchester City. I’m excited to watch any game but to watch him in the flesh and commentate on him for the first time and really get a good look at him off the ball as well, I’m really excited to watch him. We know we’ve got a great player in the league but I think we’ve got something really, really special.
“When he’s finished his time at Manchester City or in the Premier League, we’ll be talking about him alongside Thierry Henry. I think this lad could end up being the best player we’ve seen in the Premier League, I really do believe that. He’s that special. He’s made a brilliant start. I can’t say ‘long may that continue’ because that would just be a lie! But I’m really excited to see him at the weekend.”
Manchester City next face a trip to Villa Park as Erling Haaland will be eager to take his goals-tally into double figures. The defending champions currently sit second in the table, two points behind Arsenal who are the only ones with a perfect record so far. They can overtake the Gunners who travel to Old Trafford next for their showdown against Manchester United, with a win against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa.
However, Guardiola’s eyes will be on the coveted Champions League trophy which is yet to arrive at the Etihad stadium. With Haaland’s addition this summer, Guardiola has no reasons not to lift the trophy with the elephant ears for the first time since 2011. City will also be hoping to land their first ever European trophy apart from the European Cup Winners Cup they won in 1970.