Erling Haaland

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To me Haaland and Mbappe in Real Madrid is like MJ team up with Magic Johnson in Laker. That is bad for marketing as well. It is better to create a rivalry like Messi vs CR7.

The problem of this very reasonable observation of yours is that Florentino, in an exercise of extreme hyperbole and limitless grandiloquence beyond all human understanding, seems to have interpreted that Madrid are all of Lakers, Celtics and Bulls at the same time and therefore has the divine duty to sign the two players this very same summer. :drool:
 
The problem of this very reasonable observation of yours is that Florentino, in an exercise of extreme hyperbole and limitless grandiloquence beyond all human understanding, seems to have interpreted that Madrid are all of Lakers, Celtics and Bulls at the same time and therefore has the divine duty to sign the two players this very same summer. :drool:
I mean, he's right too
 
Kane is a top goalscorer himself and has the seasons to prove it, and then on top of that has world class playmaking skills.

Haaland's ambition, will to score, and finishing are irresistible and indomitable and will very possibly mean he'll indeed end up a "tier above" Kane as a striker and goalscorer, but at this point he's still got most of it to prove, he's starting to be very injury prone, will command crazy wages at a very young age which combined with the person that is his agent will make it hard for most clubs to count on him for a meaningful number of years. Let's just wait and see how it will turn out, shall we?

The age difference of course means Haaland is a more promising investment, but Haaland has a lot to learn and improve (not a good header of the ball, for example), and Kane has been a consistent and well-rounded top performer for a number of years, that's not something to just swipe away. At the moment Haaland is still a much more limited and raw player than Kane.
Just a comment on Haalands heading ability, which is a part of his game that he has improved a lot in:

Numbers from this season in CL, EL and league games:

Haaland aerial duels: 41/64 (64,1% won), Goals scored with headers this season: 5 (31% of his open play goals)
Lewandowski: 64/132 (48,5% won), Goals scored with headers this season: 6 (17% of his open play goals)
Kane: 69/145 (47,6% won), Goals scored with headers this season: 1 (11% of his open play goals)
Ronaldo: 44/109 (40,4% won), Goals scored with headers this season: 2 (13% of his open play goals)

He's not too shabby with his head anymore.....
 
That is an incredible way to downplay somebody who is probably second only to KDB in terms of passing ability in the Premiership. His passing is world class as is his finishing. Haaland may become a better player over time but right now he is nowhere near as well rounded a player as Kane. Also Kane is proven in the toughest league in the world to be a striker, Haaland looks great in Germany but there is a world of difference playing up top there and playing in the Premier League as many strikers have shown when they move here.

Not saying he couldn't - he could come over here and absolutely tear up the league but there remains a risk with Haaland that there isn't with Kane. It's the proven vs potential debate at the highest level.
When Kane turned 22 he had played 81 games for Spurs and had just finished his break out season. His record for Spurs then was 36 goals and 12 assists and he was lauded as the next big thing.
Haaland isn't 22 yet, but he just played his 80th game for Dortmund. He has 80 goals and 20 assists for them. 15 of those goals are in the CL in 13 games and he has 12 goals in his last 13 games for Norway.
I don't think many will agree with you that Haaland is a risky bet (other than maybe when looking at his injury record). Haaland is in a totally different tier than Kane when it comes to talent and you have to be a Spurs-fan to claim is is second only to KDB in the PL when it comes to passing. Kane is a WC finisher, I'll give him that (Not this season though).
 
When Kane turned 22 he had played 81 games for Spurs and had just finished his break out season. His record for Spurs then was 36 goals and 12 assists and he was lauded as the next big thing.
Haaland isn't 22 yet, but he just played his 80th game for Dortmund. He has 80 goals and 20 assists for them. 15 of those goals are in the CL in 13 games and he has 12 goals in his last 13 games for Norway.
I don't think many will agree with you that Haaland is a risky bet (other than maybe when looking at his injury record). Haaland is in a totally different tier than Kane when it comes to talent and you have to be a Spurs-fan to claim is is second only to KDB in the PL when it comes to passing. Kane is a WC finisher, I'll give him that (Not this season though).

Kane has played in the toughest league throughout his career and Haaland hasn't. He still has a lot to prove at the moment. Not saying he won't be the player many people believe he will be and no doubt his goalscoring record is incredible but I'd rather wait to see how he does in a top league before being certain he is better than Kane - he certainly isn't as well rounded a player as Kane is.
 
Kane has played in the toughest league throughout his career
PL wasn't the toughest league until 2018. Tougher than current BL, maybe. Haaland's been doing it in CL too though
 


Dortmund no longer expect Haaland to stay at the club and are preparing for his departure. Manchester City and Real Madrid are leading the race, and they must activate his release clause by April 30.
 
When Kane turned 22 he had played 81 games for Spurs and had just finished his break out season. His record for Spurs then was 36 goals and 12 assists and he was lauded as the next big thing.
Haaland isn't 22 yet, but he just played his 80th game for Dortmund. He has 80 goals and 20 assists for them. 15 of those goals are in the CL in 13 games and he has 12 goals in his last 13 games for Norway.
I don't think many will agree with you that Haaland is a risky bet (other than maybe when looking at his injury record). Haaland is in a totally different tier than Kane when it comes to talent and you have to be a Spurs-fan to claim is is second only to KDB in the PL when it comes to passing. Kane is a WC finisher, I'll give him that (Not this season though).
This is insane.
 
PL wasn't the toughest league until 2018. Tougher than current BL, maybe. Haaland's been doing it in CL too though

Its been the toughest league for a lot longer than that - the relative strength of all the teams in the league is far superior to any other league in Europe and it's been like this for a long time.
 
Its been the toughest league for a lot longer than that - the relative strength of all the teams in the league is far superior to any other league in Europe and it's been like this for a long time.
It really, really hasn't, as evidenced by PL sides being laughed out of europe every season for a while
 
Its been the toughest league for a lot longer than that - the relative strength of all the teams in the league is far superior to any other league in Europe and it's been like this for a long time.

Europa League winners last decade: Atletico 2010, 2012, 2018. Sevilla: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020.
CL winners last decade: Madrid: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018. Barcelona: 2011, 2015.
CL runners up: Atletico 2014, Atletico 2016.

If the Premier was the strongest league lot longer before 2018, English clubs were pretending really well not to look like that was the case.
 
Europa League winners last decade: Atletico 2010, 2012, 2018. Sevilla: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020.
CL winners last decade: Madrid: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018. Barcelona: 2011, 2015.
CL runners up: Atletico 2014, Atletico 2016.

If the Premier was the strongest league lot longer before 2018, English clubs were pretending really well not to look like that was the case.

The strength of the top teams in a league do not equal the overall strength of a league - over the years you will know that there are very competitive matches every week in England between the top teams and the lower teams in the league with upsets happening regularly (apart from maybe the last few years with City and Liverpool destroying almost everyone) - the overall strength of the league in England is far higher than any other league in my opinion.
 
If he story in todays Sun newspaper is true, then haaland should be avoided. Apparently his team want to insert a minimum fee release clause if he was to join city. Ok you think to yourself, lets set it at £250-£300mil or something stupid like that. You can bet your bottom dollar, riaola wont accept that sort of number for the clause.

Haaland is going to be whored around europe, from superclub to superclub every few years. Riaola has his golden goose and it will lay golden eggs every 2-3 seasons.

Avoid haaland like the plague.
 
If he story in todays Sun newspaper is true, then haaland should be avoided. Apparently his team want to insert a minimum fee release clause if he was to join city. Ok you think to yourself, lets set it at £250-£300mil or something stupid like that. You can bet your bottom dollar, riaola wont accept that sort of number for the clause.

Haaland is going to be whored around europe, from superclub to superclub every few years. Riaola has his golden goose and it will lay golden eggs every 2-3 seasons.

Avoid haaland like the plague.
Legendary start to a post, chapeau.
 
Its been the toughest league for a lot longer than that - the relative strength of all the teams in the league is far superior to any other league in Europe and it's been like this for a long time.
PL wasn't the toughest league in the years 2009-2018, and also not the strongest. It is now, and probably was before for a couple of years.
 
Haaland is going to be whored around europe, from superclub to superclub every few years. Riaola has his golden goose and it will lay golden eggs every 2-3 seasons.
Or maybe Haaland just wants to move around each league himself and not tie himself down for too long at any one club? A totally fair position to hold.
 
The strength of the top teams in a league do not equal the overall strength of a league - over the years you will know that there are very competitive matches every week in England between the top teams and the lower teams in the league with upsets happening regularly (apart from maybe the last few years with City and Liverpool destroying almost everyone) - the overall strength of the league in England is far higher than any other league in my opinion.
The only frame of reference we have is performance in Europe. It's all well and good to say that games are more competitive in England, yet as soon as the top english sides pulled their fingers out of their bumhole they've demolished the league same as the top sides in Spain or Bayern in Germany had been doing

leicester won the PL. That does not happen in a strong league
 
PL wasn't the toughest league in the years 2009-2018, and also not the strongest. It is now, and probably was before for a couple of years.
Of course it was. Then big difference was smaller teams beating higher teams was put down to the top sides being weak. Now we see thats just continued on even though Liverpool and City became the best two sides in Europe which hides it a little bit more.
 
Of course it was. Then big difference was smaller teams beating higher teams was put down to the top sides being weak. Now we see thats just continued on even though Liverpool and City became the best two sides in Europe which hides it a little bit more.

No, it wasn't.

La Liga was the best from 2010 to 2018.

If top teams of a league are weak, then that league isn't the best, very simple.

Is PL the best league since 2018 ? YES.

The relative strength argument is weak, it would be valid if City was challenging the CL while losing to Stoke City/Everton/Southampton in the league...and that didn't happen until a couple years ago.
 
It is pointless to argue which league is the best. The best league is the league that has the most money. It is the same for every sport, any sport. Money attracts the best talent to the league. From football director, manager to players. No one will argue if NHL is the best hockey league or NBA is the best basketball league.
 
Will he come to Man City when Pep has only one more year on his contract? With Real Madrid, there is no expectation that a manager will stay on for a long while. Without Pep, Man City won't have the stability that they have enjoyed in the recent years. Man City don't look as if they will win the league, which will make Pep's extension unlikely.

I was hoping he would come to United, and this is unlikely. I hope and think he would choose Real Madrid.
 
If he story in todays Sun newspaper is true, then haaland should be avoided. Apparently his team want to insert a minimum fee release clause if he was to join city.
This is the best for both parties. Jail free card for the player if thing doesn't work out and the club can get the transfer money back, and the player doesn't need to waste time to run down the contract like Pogba or Lingard. Win win situation. If the player is happy he won't leave anyway(see Maguire). BVB is smart enough to see that and they make 200% return of their "investment" and also the goals from his service.

Riaola is indeed a very good agent for players.
 
My prediction:

He goes to City, wins it all and after 3,4 seasons he's off to Barcelona. Raiola gets much bigger bonuses than if he went to Madrid. City get the second biggest young talent in world football and Haaland gets a chance at winning tons of silverware with the richest club there is. And City's brass who are all massive Barsa guys get to keep him for some years before letting him go to Barsa once they've sorted out their massive debt problems. Perfect move for all involved
 
No, it wasn't.

La Liga was the best from 2010 to 2018.

If top teams of a league are weak, then that league isn't the best, very simple.

Is PL the best league since 2018 ? YES.

The relative strength argument is weak, it would be valid if City was challenging the CL while losing to Stoke City/Everton/Southampton in the league...and that didn't happen until a couple years ago.
A league doesn’t have to be top heavy to be the best. What was better? La Liga who only had Madrid win CLs for the last 8 odd years? A team who disregarded the league when Spring came to focus on CL and whose actual league champions went out embarrassing fashion after embarrassing fashion year after year?
What does that indicate?
 
Absolutely zero chance he comes here. Zero.
I actually think it’s a mistake to go after him right now. If injuries are starting to catch up then what’s the odds it’ll somehow get better in a more demanding league? Great player and all but there doesn’t seem the sort of stampede happening that was predicted for his signature
 
A league doesn’t have to be top heavy to be the best. What was better? La Liga who only had Madrid win CLs for the last 8 odd years? A team who disregarded the league when Spring came to focus on CL and whose actual league champions went out embarrassing fashion after embarrassing fashion year after year?
What does that indicate?

If Barcelona didn't go far, it was Atlético, it's the same thing, or Sevilla/Villareal winning the UEL.

It's the other way, Madrid going far in the UCL while not being close to win the league, speaks good for La Liga.

Top heavy teams should be considered, otherwise we can pick some tier 3 league with many different winners that don't challenge for the UCL as the best, but i don't think that's how it works.

City can lose to Stoke,Everton, etc but they aren't the first and won't be the last top team that loses against mid table sides in their league.

We only have the UCL/UEL as barometer and the UEFA coefficient, there is no other way to measure the strength, other methods will be subjective.
 
If Barcelona didn't go far, it was Atlético, it's the same thing, or Sevilla/Villareal winning the UEL.

It's the other way, Madrid going far in the UCL while not being close to win the league, speaks good for La Liga.

Top heavy teams should be considered, otherwise we can pick some tier 3 league with many different winners that don't challenge for the UCL as the best, but i don't think that's how it works.

City can lose to Stoke,Everton, etc but they aren't the first and won't be the last top team that loses against mid table sides in their league.

We only have the UCL/UEL as barometer and the UEFA coefficient, there is no other way to measure the strength, other methods will be subjective.
But how does it speak well? Barca took the league seriously, won it and got creamed in Europe. Madrid ditched the league and won CL. In no way can CL indicate the strength of a league. Surely the EPL being a dog fight lines up with Barca scenario so teams who can’t solely focus on CL tend to suffer, hence why CL progression proved very little.
 
Excellent, no Raoila for us. Happy with that.

Let's face it, you could stick almost any decent striker at the top of that City midfield and they'd score goals. He'll undoubtedly be a success, then off to Spain in a bit.
 
When I made my first pilgrimage to Old Trafford we were an FA cup team. If he’s off to City, we are most definitely nothing more than an FA cup team for the foreseeable future. Football is indeed cyclical.
 
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