Five Premier League Players with The Biggest Point to Prove Next Season

Erling Haaland: The Real Deal?

Since the departure of Sergio Aguero in 2021 and a failed attempt to get Harry Kane, Pep Guardiola was without a pure striker. Irrespective of not having an out-and-out striker he still managed to nip Liverpool to the title in dramatic fashion on the final game day, last season.

However, Pep’s focus is more on winning the Champions League, which has eluded him since he last won it at FC Barcelona. In a clear bid to repeat the feat he has acquired the services of one of the world’s hottest strikers in Erling Haaland.

Haaland is a great addition to an already formidable squad. Haaland scored 86 goals in 89 appearances in two and a half years, only Robert Lewandowski with 123 goals in 108 appearances is better off than that of Haaland.

One may argue that the quality of the teams in the German Bundesliga is inferior to those of the English Premier League. Whatever the case is: Haaland scored 29 goals in 30 games. Despite, the narrative, he is a prolific goalscorer and a force to be reckoned with.

Should Erling Haaland be a Premier League Golden Boot Contender?

He might prove to be worth every penny of his reported €75 million move to Manchester City in his first season, which would not be a surprise to owner Sheikh Mansour who hails him as the best striker in the world. He is widely regarded as a goalscoring machine and is the most complete center-forward. He has repaid his Dortmund fans with a myriad of different types of goals.

He uses his towering frame well to his advantage to shrug off challenges effectively and involve others. His deep runs with pace and his precocious movement to get in behind defenders will create havoc in the Premier League. His ability to dribble and create is another element of his game. It has helped him to be a clinical finisher with both feet, including his head.

Adjusting to Manchester City’s style of play where they build from the back and move the ball slowly may take away a little from Haaland’s game. However, with Pep’s determination and desire to win the Champions League, he may just slightly adjust his system to suit Haaland. His creativity is most apparent when he drifts into the left inside channel.

His aim is always to get a shot off, but he also has the vision and skill to pick out a delayed run from midfield. He is most deadly on the counter-attacks with his lightning pace for a big guy. His ability to carry the ball at pace also helps to create for others.

One element that is missing from his game is the ability to work his way in tight spaces. Some of the previous Golden Boot winners like Mohamed Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Sadio Mane were able to work their way out of tight spaces to score. It is also a bag of mixed results and success with players making the move from Germany to the EPL. Fellow teammate Kevin De Bruyne and ex-Arsenal talisman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, have reaped success.

Though, apart from a few moments of brilliance, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner, Jadon Sancho, and Kai Havertz have yet to hit top form. Haaland lauded players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Michu, Jamie Vardy, and Robin van Persie as inspirations, and credits Virgil van Dijk and Sergio Ramos as two of the toughest defenders he has played against.

When a move is widely anticipated such as this one, the expectation burden is huge but with such a frightening frame he is expected to deliver.