Manchester City

Manchester City

Premier League • England

Pundit makes huge Erling Haaland claim but cites the one thing ‘missing’ in Man City star’s armoury

Man City striker Erling Haaland

Former Tottenham and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson feels Manchester City star Erling Haaland could go on to become the best ever Premier League player.

Haaland, 22, moved to the Etihad during the summer with an enviable scoring record already on his CV. A few pundits questioned whether he would be able to replicate his goalscoring prowess in the Premier League. But they have been forced to eat humble pie as the Norway international continues to score goals for fun.

The Leeds-born ace has become the first player in Premier League history to bag three consecutive home hat-tricks. And he has notched an incredible 14 top-flight goals from just eight outings.

With 19 in all competitions, Haaland has proved beyond doubt that he is among the top strikers in world football on current form.

Alan Shearer and Andy Cole are joint holders of the record for most Premier League goals in a season, with 34 each.

That record is under serious threat from City’s Scandinavian hotshot.

Robinson had to deal with a number of world-class strikers during his spells with Leeds United, Spurs and Blackburn Rovers.

But he feels Haaland bears favourable comparison with anyone who has graced England’s top division.

“I think he may well be the best we’ve seen in the Premier League,” he told BetfredTV.

“You look at the greats we’ve had over the years, including the fact that the Premier League has had potentially the best players in the world in recent times, and Erling is certainly putting in a case to be well up there.”

Haaland stats a frightening prospect

Haaland scored goals wherever he played prior to joining Manchester City. The youngster found the net on 29 occasions from 27 outings with Red Bull Salzburg.

And he was equally as prolific during two-and-a-half seasons with Borussia Dortmund. The powerful hitman notched 86 times from 89 outings in all competitions.

The race was on for his signature but it was Pep Guardiola who managed to lure him to Manchester.

Haaland may well be the final piece of the puzzle as regards City winning the Champions League. They came up just short last year, losing to Real Madrid in the semi-finals.

Many pundits feel they would have triumphed with the rangy forward on the books. Robinson is in awe of the numbers he continues to put up.

And the man who won 41 England caps believes he may have re-written the record books when the dust settles on his career.

“Longevity is the only thing that’s missing. His stats are up there, his numbers are up there and his playing style is up there,” he added.

“If he does this over a long period of time then it’s going to be frightening.”

Erling Haaland tipped to smash PL record

Shearer also holds the all-time Premier League scoring record with 260. Haaland has a long way to go before he can even think about challenging the legendary Newcastle striker’s feat.

One man who knows a thing or two about scoring goals is Michael Owen.

And the ex-England ace told the Pitchside Podcast that City’s number nine can go on to usurp the BBC pundit and become top goalscorer in England’s elite division.

READ MORE: Man Utd plotting move for teenage prospect who holds £87m exit clause with Man City star tipping him for the top