Erling Haaland is ‘phenomenal’ but he’s not the best Premier League striker ever – Man United legend
Erling Haaland’s exceptional goal scoring form is yet to convince everyone that he could be considered the greatest Premier League striker of all time.
Haaland has scored 14 goals in 11 Premier League games, netting again in Man City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool despite having a penalty saved in the first half.
Amid such form, Haaland has been linked to Real Madrid despite being contracted to Man City until 2034.
The 25-year-old is spearheading Man City’s title charge, with just a four point gap between them and leaders Arsenal.
Andy Cole makes ‘unbelievable’ Erling Haaland claim
Speaking to Sky Sports, [14 November], former Man United striker Andy Cole has praised Haaland, but questions whether he can be deemed the greatest Premier League striker of all time.
“He’s unbelievable, Cole said.
“When you have a team that’s built for you what do you expect, if he was out the team injured or whatever I genuinely believe Man City would really struggle to score goals.
“If you look at the goals he’s got now and Man City as a team, you take his goals out where do the goals come from?
“What he does, he’s phenomenal at what he does. As a finisher in that area I don’t think I’ve seen anyone better at doing what he does, pure finishing.
| Minutes Played | 948 |
| Goals | 14 |
| Expected Goals | 11.1 |
| Shots | 45 |
| Shots on target | 27 |
However, when asked if Haaland is the best ever to have graced the Premier League, Cole answered: “I’m not sure about that. Goal scoring and what he does yeh, he’s got to be up there, but when you talk about the best Premier League striker, there are Premier League strikers who haven’t played the way he plays and have scored goals so you’ve got to flip it on its head.
“If a team was built around this individual and played this way how many goals would he have got so he’s up there but I’m not going to sit here and say he’s best Premier League striker the Premier League has seen.
“I can’t sit here and say that as I’ve got so much respect for the guys that have gone before him who’ve scored goals from a different era.”
Pat Nevin also believes Haaland won’t be able to break Dixie Dean’s record of scoring 60 goals in a league season.
Phil Foden discovers new position
Whilst Cole questions where Man City’s goals could come from, should Haaland be unavailable, Thomas Tuchel may have helped Pep Guardiola solve that conondrum.
Phil Foden played in the number nine role for England when he replaced Harry Kane during the Three Lions’ victory over Serbia.
Man City want to tie Foden down to a new deal, and the 25-year-old may have unearthed a new position which could take some of the pressure off Haaland.