A Blind Knows He’s A Good Striker – Says Guardiola On ‘Exceptional’ Haaland
Pep Guardiola praised “exceptional” Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland as he admitted Manchester City could spend the kind of money required to sign a player of his calibre.
City are one of several top clubs linked with a blockbuster move for Haaland in the close-season.
The 20-year-old Norwegian is the talk of Europe after scoring 33 goals in 32 games this season, while becoming the youngest player to reach 20 career goals in the Champions League.
Already well aware of Haaland’s quality, City boss Guardiola has a chance to take a closer look when Dortmund visit the Etihad Stadium for the Champions League quarterfinal first leg on Tuesday.
“He’s exceptional for his age. The numbers speak for themselves,” Guardiola told reporters on Monday.
“He can score right, left, counter attacks, in the box, headers. He’s a fantastic striker, everyone knows it. He’s only 20. To score that many goals at this age, it’s not easy to find a player like that. A blind guy can realise he’s a good striker, it’s not necessary to be a manager.”
The runaway Premier League leaders will need a new forward next season after announcing their record goalscorer Sergio Aguero is set to leave at the end of this term.
Guardiola recently suggested the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic would make it difficult for his team to meet Dortmund’s reported £130 million ($180 million) asking price for Haaland.
But Guardiola dropped a hint that a bid for Haaland would not be impossible as he suggested City would eventually break their transfer record – currently the £62 million they spent on Benfica defender Ruben Dias last year.
“So far, the club has decided not to spend close to £100 million for a player,” Guardiola said.
“Maybe in the future it will happen when the club decides it is necessary to improve the team for the next five to 10 years. The organisation has so far decided not to and that is why we haven’t. Maybe in the future.
“Spending a lot of money on one player doesn’t give you an advantage to win. Football is a team game, everyone makes a contribution. Competitions are not won by one player, it is every player.”
©AFP
