Erling Haaland

[Trex]

Haaland is the exact opposite to what Pep fancies, as weird as Chelsea resigning Lukaku.
He would have to alter his game from what makes him the player he is at the moment and am not sure if the player Pep would convert him to would be any better on an individual level. That is if his attitude is right to make the changes.
Add his agent and the relationship with Pep, I'll like to see how this works out.

 

[Ayoba]

Its good he's moving to City. We need them to be as strong as possible next season to stop liverpool winning back to back league titles

 

[horsechoker]

It'll be interesting to see his interviews with the British media

"Erling, great performance today, it must feel great to score a hat-trick"

"Yes, a hat-trick"

"uhhh would you say that it's been easy for you to adjust to life in Manchester?"

"Manchester is the most-populous city and metropolitan borough in North West England and Greater Manchester, England. The city has the country's fifth-largest population at 547,627 (as of 2018),lying within the United Kingdom's second-most populous urban area with a population of 2.7 million and the third most-populous county at around 2.8 million"

 

[Judge Red]

Its good he's moving to City. We need them to be as strong as possible next season to stop liverpool winning back to back league titles

Quadruples.

 

[TenonTen]

Recently read that even after the rehab Haaland is struggling with leg pain and complaining about it regularly. But he doesn’t want another rehab stint so apparently he's taking painkillers and playing through the pain. He has also asked Dortmund to not announce his injuries anymore.

This is so dumb when you see that Dortmund have nothing to play for at this stage of the season. This is probably his entourage and greedy agent's idea so that he doesn't become less attractive to big clubs and they can still pocket that fat commission.

Playing through injuries can have a massive impact on him long term and can literally cut off several years from his playing career.

Really hope that's the case. I found his general play unimpressive and hence wasn't convinced by the hype initially, but then the fecker just kept scoring at a phenomenal rate. Hopefully we are all together in our hope for him to be a massive let down at City !

Have watched a lot of Haaland.
He's an amazing amazing goalscorer. Absolutely no doubt. Probably the best goalscorer after RL9 right now.

But his overall game is indeed unimpressive(not terrible though, sometimes he looks fine). He just lacks that technique, touch, awareness and finesse strikers like Benz and RL9 have and always had. So, one of the possible cases is, even if Haaland has a decent tally for himself at City, he can make the linkup in the final third somewhat disjoint and less smooth.

Gonna get slaughtered for saying this but in terms of player profile Haaland is just a better and less comical version of Lukaku; ofcourse an even better finisher. I really don't see him drastically changing his game to be a Pep striker. Plus, if you sign him for those wages Pep would have to play him every game. This can actually get toxic at some point if Pep doesn't really succeed in moulding him into a striker-prototype he needs for his meticulously planned system to succeed.

I'm not even taking into consideration that Haaland's injury record is a major concern here.

Really think Haaland would suit a Madrid, United, Chelsea, etc better. City are just way too mechanical and strictly choreographed for a player like him.

Does he fit in playing ticki tacka vs teams parking the bus ? Also most galacticos flop anyway so.

No, he's a bad fit for that style on paper as of now. Needs space to make runs in behind. That's his modus operandi. For Norway and Dortmund he has tons of space to run in behind generally. For City he'll be against low blocks jam-packed with players around him every week.

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

Haaland and City seem like a poor match up, just like Grealish is.

 

[sewey89]

I'm not convinced he'll score bags and bags of goals at City. It just doesn't feel like they'll fit well together. I think it could go a bit Lukaku-y

 

[troylocker]

Haaland is the exact opposite to what Pep fancies, as weird as Chelsea resigning Lukaku.
He would have to alter his game from what makes him the player he is at the moment and am not sure if the player Pep would convert him to would be any better on an individual level. That is if his attitude is right to make the changes.
Add his agent and the relationship with Pep, I'll like to see how this works out.

That's what Pep told me too:
Why would I possibly want a young, hardworking, physical monster, who scores for fun against any level of opposition and likes to set up his teammates in the #9 position?, he asked.

Pep has a great record of playing with #9's. His City averaged 100+ goals a season playing with a #9 and is on course to score less than 90 this season (83 last season). They haven't upped their winning percentage by playing without a pure 9 and they haven't added any trophies either.

Wish he came here, but unfortunately he'll tear the league and CL up for them in stead.

 

[RedPed]

Would love it if the Premier League tax had the required effect if he joins City. The league has reduced so many to mediocrity.

 

[Trex]

That's what Pep told me too:
Why would I possibly want a young, hardworking, physical monster, who scores for fun against any level of opposition and likes to set up his teammates in the #9 position?, he asked.

Pep has a great record of playing with #9's. His City averaged 100+ goals a season playing with a #9 and is on course to score less than 90 this season (83 last season). They haven't upped their winning percentage by playing without a pure 9 and they haven't added any trophies either.

Wish he came here, but unfortunately he'll tear the league and CL up for them in stead.

It not about playing with or without a 9, its about the exact profile if Erling Haaland, Pep has never fancied a forward who leans more on the physical side, neither does he likes players who are specialist (by that I mean players who are on the pitch to do one job and that alone like Haaland and goal scoring), or big egos, I don't doubt Haaland would continue to score.
But I'll like to see his reaction to being rotated or being dropped for tactical reasons.
Pep doesn't like "strong personalities" in his squad you'll have to buy into all of his philosophy or out you go, let's see how this works

 

[JuriM]

It not about playing with or without a 9, its about the exact profile if Erling Haaland, Pep has never fancied a forward who leans more on the physical side, neither does he likes players who are specialist (by that I mean players who are on the pitch to do one job and that alone like Haaland and goal scoring), or big egos, I don't doubt Haaland would continue to score.
But I'll like to see his reaction to being rotated or being dropped for tactical reasons.
Pep doesn't like "strong personalities" in his squad you'll have to buy into all of his philosophy or out you go, let's see how this works

The Strong personality thing is a myth - Otamendi, Ederson, Walker, Grealish all go under that and all have been or are his players by all standards.

 

[Ish]

No surprises if he goes to City. Most reasonable clubs would absolutely shudder at paying Raiola the kind of commissions he wants

Not just Raiola in this deal - apparently the dad as well. So probably looking at double the buy-out clause plus 500k per week. That's one hell of a package which explains why City's probably one of the few who can afford it. We just have way too may other gaps in our squad to make such a signing.

 

[ForeverRed1]

So we agree that it was already mad? The numbers are insane, but did you really think Haaland would demand less in the current market?

football has been mad for a while but it’s escalating to just pure craziness. And nope but at the end of the day if no one paid it what would he do? There’s only a very small pool of teams that can pay those numbers anyway. But the money to agents and family members etc, it’s just insanity and it won’t stop while clubs pay it.

the marketability of having haaland and Grealish will be massive for them and they’ll make the money back, sure.

 

[Zehner]

I don't think he's worth that much. Great striker but no best in the world material.

 

[Vargo Hoat]

I should be beyond happy that Norway finally has got a truly world-class footballer. We have had some really good players before, true. But the likes of Solskjær, Riise, Carew, and Flo were never anywhere close to what Haaland now has become. Still, I grow more indifferent to him (and his entourage) every day. I met him a couple of times when he played for Molde and his attitude was miles ahead of the rest of the squad as far as I could tell. Hardworking, kept his head down, and likable although introverted.

The moment he threw his lot in whit Raiola, though... Huge letdown. Reports of his outlandish financial demands for his next move are so far removed from any values we hold dear in Norway that I struggle to wrap my mind around what kind of counsel he's been getting. And the most disappointing part? His dad, Alfie who used to be one of my fav Norwegian players growing up, seems just as ruthless and greedy as Raiola.

I'm sure it's been written here before, but these are his (or rather Raiola and Haaland senior's) demands:

* € 750,000 a week ( €2b over 5-year contract, total)​

* €50m lump sum to Raiola "to facilitate" the transfer.​

* €30m lump sum to Alfie Haaland (cuz reasons)​

Combine this with his outlandish lifestyle, promotion of conspiracy theories on his Instagram, and sub-par participation in the Norway National Team's Qatar-protests, and I am just left numb.

What should have been a proud talking point for every Norwegian football fan is, to me, just a testament to how extremely dense these modern-day superstars are. I absolutely loathe it.

I still hope he scores for fun for Norway the next 15 years, but what he does for his new club? Couldn't care less.

​

 

[Trex]

The Strong personality thing is a myth - Otamendi, Ederson, Walker, Grealish all go under that and all have been or are his players by all standards.

By strong personality i mean self centered c*nts like Ibrahimovic, C Ronaldo (not a good day to speak about him that way) like Haaland is.

 

[nainaisson]

Pep has a great record of playing with #9's. His City averaged 100+ goals a season playing with a #9 and is on course to score less than 90 this season (83 last season). They haven't upped their winning percentage by playing without a pure 9 and they haven't added any trophies either.

No one thought Zlatan would be a dud when he joined Barcelona. I hope whatever happened to Zlatan at Barcelona happens to Haaland at City too.

 

[Pirlo'sBeard]

He'll score a frightening amount of goals at City.

 

[DWelbz19]

It'll be interesting to see his interviews with the British media

"Erling, great performance today, it must feel great to score a hat-trick"

"Yes, a hat-trick"

"uhhh would you say that it's been easy for you to adjust to life in Manchester?"

"Manchester is the most-populous city and metropolitan borough in North West England and Greater Manchester, England. The city has the country's fifth-largest population at 547,627 (as of 2018),lying within the United Kingdom's second-most populous urban area with a population of 2.7 million and the third most-populous county at around 2.8 million"

Haaland iOS will update if connected to power between 02:00 - 04:00 AM.

 

[RoyH1]

I should be beyond happy that Norway finally has got a truly world-class footballer. We have had some really good players before, true. But the likes of Solskjær, Riise, Carew, and Flo were never anywhere close to what Haaland now has become. Still, I grow more indifferent to him (and his entourage) every day. I met him a couple of times when he played for Molde and his attitude was miles ahead of the rest of the squad as far as I could tell. Hardworking, kept his head down, and likable although introverted.

The moment he threw his lot in whit Raiola, though... Huge letdown. Reports of his outlandish financial demands for his next move are so far removed from any values we hold dear in Norway that I struggle to wrap my mind around what kind of counsel he's been getting. And the most disappointing part? His dad, Alfie who used to be one of my fav Norwegian players growing up, seems just as ruthless and greedy as Raiola.

I'm sure it's been written here before, but these are his (or rather Raiola and Haaland senior's) demands:

* € 750,000 a week ( €2b over 5-year contract, total)​

* €50m lump sum to Raiola "to facilitate" the transfer.​

* €30m lump sum to Alfie Haaland (cuz reasons) ​

Combine this with his outlandish lifestyle, promotion of conspiracy theories on his Instagram, and sub-par participation in the Norway National Team's Qatar-protests, and I am just left numb.

What should have been a proud talking point for every Norwegian football fan is, to me, just a testament to how extremely dense these modern-day superstars are. I absolutely loathe it.

I still hope he scores for fun for Norway the next 15 years, but what he does for his new club? Couldn't care less.

​

These kind of fees (if true) should be illegal. No place in sports for that.

 

[horsechoker]

Haaland iOS will update if connected to power between 02:00 - 04:00 AM.

 

[DannyCAFC]

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Never set foot in England and already the highest paid in the land wow, this is why players hire Raiola no matter how much we hate it as fans

Fair play to Citeh, already the best club in the country the last 5 years and they haven't had an elite number 9 since prime Aguero. Now they're just signing the best young 9 in the world in the same bracket as Mbappe, must be nice...

Nobody will touch them if he stays fit, not even the Scousers

He was born in Leeds.

 

[keithsingleton]

Haaland and City seem like a poor match up, just like Grealish is.

You can’t be serious? It’s exactly what they need sadly.

 

[troylocker]

football has been mad for a while but it’s escalating to just pure craziness. And nope but at the end of the day if no one paid it what would he do? There’s only a very small pool of teams that can pay those numbers anyway. But the money to agents and family members etc, it’s just insanity and it won’t stop while clubs pay it.

the marketability of having haaland and Grealish will be massive for them and they’ll make the money back, sure.

It's hard to disagree with the part about agent fees and money to family members (also his agent) though. That is beyond crazy and should be banned somehow.
A loophole created by the low release clause vs. marketvalue of the player. At least it will not be very common because it's very rear that the gap between release clause and market value is this big.

 

[troylocker]

Haaland and City seem like a poor match up, just like Grealish is.

What exactly did Grealish do at Villa to justify the price and praise? In numbers please?
....and compared to Haaland?

 

[GatoLoco]

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[DWelbz19]

Only thing I see stopping this robot freak are injuries, really. He’s too fast, strong, and most importantly has that Ronaldo like determination to succeed to not do well in any league.

Pure no.9s aren’t vogue at the moment but if there’s any specific one to build your attack around it’s obviously Haaland

 

[Acrobat7]

He will need to stay fit though. He is a machine

That is a contradiction, isn’t it?

 

[izec]

That is a contradiction, isn’t it?

No, that is Haaland. A myth

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

You can’t be serious? It’s exactly what they need sadly.

I don’t think he suits Pep’s style at all. Getting Ibra at Barca vibes. I’m not saying he won’t score goals I just think he’d perform even better in a team more suited to his style of play.

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

What exactly did Grealish do at Villa to justify the price and praise? In numbers please?
....and compared to Haaland?

I’m not comparing Haaland and Grealish’s careers I’m saying I don’t think Haaland suits Pep’s style of play much the same as Grealish doesn’t.

 

[Real Name]

30 million to his dad cause what he's his dad. Fekin madness.

 

[padzilla]

So Haaland who wore t-shirts demanding human rights for the workers in Qatar is supposedly going to sign for a club owned by a neighbouring country which has been accused of exactly the same practices?

Hmmmm....

 

[troylocker]

So Haaland who wore t-shirts demanding human rights for the workers in Qatar is supposedly going to sign for a club owned by a neighbouring country which has been accused of exactly the same practices?

Hmmmm....

He'll have a hard time justifying that for sure and it should be highlighted more. PSG, City and Newcastle should be nono's for all players who actually takes a stand against sportswashing and cares about human rights.

 

[Telsim]

Seems like Dembele all over again. You can be the greatest in the world, but if you spend half the season on the physio table it's just not worth it. We will see though.

 

[padzilla]

He'll have a hard time justifying that for sure and it should be highlighted more. PSG, City and Newcastle should be nono's for all players who actually takes a stand against sportswashing and cares about human rights.

That's if they actually care and aren't just making phony gestures in the first place...

 

[Mainoldo]

Im really not fussed. Good move for him though. His style isn’t really Man City but it will work.

 

[croadyman]

It will help them win title face-offs like the one against Liverpool which they'd have won easily with a quality striker.

Yeah fully expecting them to pull away even from the scousers next season with him

 

[arthurka]

I should be beyond happy that Norway finally has got a truly world-class footballer. We have had some really good players before, true. But the likes of Solskjær, Riise, Carew, and Flo were never anywhere close to what Haaland now has become. Still, I grow more indifferent to him (and his entourage) every day. I met him a couple of times when he played for Molde and his attitude was miles ahead of the rest of the squad as far as I could tell. Hardworking, kept his head down, and likable although introverted.

The moment he threw his lot in whit Raiola, though... Huge letdown. Reports of his outlandish financial demands for his next move are so far removed from any values we hold dear in Norway that I struggle to wrap my mind around what kind of counsel he's been getting. And the most disappointing part? His dad, Alfie who used to be one of my fav Norwegian players growing up, seems just as ruthless and greedy as Raiola.

I'm sure it's been written here before, but these are his (or rather Raiola and Haaland senior's) demands:

* € 750,000 a week ( €2b over 5-year contract, total)​

* €50m lump sum to Raiola "to facilitate" the transfer.​

* €30m lump sum to Alfie Haaland (cuz reasons)​

Combine this with his outlandish lifestyle, promotion of conspiracy theories on his Instagram, and sub-par participation in the Norway National Team's Qatar-protests, and I am just left numb.

What should have been a proud talking point for every Norwegian football fan is, to me, just a testament to how extremely dense these modern-day superstars are. I absolutely loathe it.

I still hope he scores for fun for Norway the next 15 years, but what he does for his new club? Couldn't care less.

​

Good post.
Absolutely mental stuff this, though the wages part is a bit over calculated.
What I have seen of him he comes across a bit thick to be fair.

So to get Haaland you would need to cough up 60m plus transfer, 50m Raiola, 30m dad fee, plus wages for 5 years that would be 195m after taxes.

Who the feck knows he might score a lot but I would never in a million years sign another player from Raiola.

 

[croadyman]

Well that’s the league done for the next year or two anyway

Yeah my thoughts exactly