Sergio Aguero’s Manchester City career ends this summer. The striker will have an incredible decade with the Citizens, where he has scored over 250 goals in less than 400 games, and his departure means it’s time for City to identify and bring in his replacement – something the club’s officials know all too well.
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There have been several names linked to the role of Aguero’s heir and despite recent rumors of Romelu Lukaku moving to the Etihad, it seems that Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland is still the club’s main target.
Erling Haaland is sought after by the best European clubs Lars Baron / Getty Images
And that makes sense. Why? Let’s start with the obvious. He can score goals. Many goals.
Gabriel Jesus, who was previously hailed as Aguero’s successor, was introduced as a relative unknown from Palmeira’s 2016 and despite a record of 75 goals in 173 games, he has since failed to reach the heights expected of him.
However, Erling Haaland is not unknown at all. The Norwegian would arrive at Etihad with enormous expectations but he has shown that he can handle hype. He has a proven goal score that does not seem to slow down soon.
Since moving to the Bundesliga in January 2020, Haaland has scored goals for fun – this season alone he has 21 goals in 21 games. Most impressive, however, is how he has reached the highest level of club football. In November, he became the fastest player to hit 15 in Champions League history and did so in just 12 games.
?? Erling Haaland = 1st player in history to score 15 goals in his first 12 Champions League matches? #UCL pic.twitter.com/cQFx2manl7
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) 24 November 2020
Aguero’s departure will inevitably leave a hole in the side and Manchester City as a club – the Argentine has managed 20 or more Premier League goals in six of his nine full seasons at the club and has become an institution. But to fill the void, Haaland is as good as anything.
Apart from the obvious goal-scoring pedigree, the Norwegian international matches City’s style of play and would be destined to succeed. Defensively, Haaland is not afraid to put pressure on defenders. This season he has managed about six last third pressures per game and while Aguero made eight per 90 last campaign, the BVB man, crucially, has a success rate of 32% compared to the Argentines’ 25%.
And we know all his talents in attack. He is best known for his incredible ability in and around the 18-yard box – much like Aguero. The Dortmund striker has a breathtaking natural ability to be on the blind side of the defender, while his acceleration and sharpness make it easy for him to move quickly.
And for all of Dortmund’s current defensive misery, their creative unity has gotten the best out of Haaland. Players like Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho and Giovanni Reyna provide a fluid and unpredictable for BVB’s attacking play that suits him. Dormund enjoys bringing wide players into play and moving the ball to channels to find players in the box – remind you of anything?
City have been ruthless with the same attitude this season. Pep Guardiola’s wide men have all been influential in attacking phases, and while a floating midfield helps to move the opposition, it is games in the channels that give them the edge – which is shown against Liverpool at Anfield.
While two of the goals were gifts from Alisson, all four – and missed the penalty in the first half – came from wide areas and ended with a clinical finish near the goal. Haaland’s clinical character in combination with Citizen’s creative approach is a frightening thought and one that could dominate the Premier League for several years.
The Norwegian is not a pony either. He can also go deeper and initiate attacking moves himself, as we have seen Guardiola do with his number nine this season. While Jesus lacks a bit of urgency in these situations, Haaland has the pace, power and drive to challenge his opposition, while also having the ability to bring teammates into play, as shown by this goal against RB Leipzig earlier in the season.
Started by Haaland, finished by Haaland. ?
Brilliant team goal from Dortmund to double the lead, but Erling Haaland is different. ?? pic.twitter.com/vfreKXLnmt
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 9, 2021
Haaland also has a previous link to Manchester City. His father, Alf-Inge, played for the club for three years during his time in England, and Haaland Jr. even supported City growing up – it makes even more sense to make a move.
Haaland has the proven record of succeeding Aguero at the Etihad and would fit into Pep’s tactical ethos. Throw in some family nostalgia, and what do you dislike? City also have a rare financial position to be able to run a player of his quality during the summer – and would be perfectly right to do so.
