Pep Guardiola backs Erling Haaland as the best striker in the world (Credits: Imago Images)
Liverpool splashing £125m for Alexander Isak has sparked a new debate in English football. Considering the Swede’s talent, the footballer is being compared to Viking compatriot Erling Haaland.
Both Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola have been blowing their strikers’ horns following the spark of the debate. Slot before the game against Burnley told the media that Alexander Isak might be the best striker in the world.
“He gets one of the best, maybe the best striker in the world, and needs to play two very important games for his country, but (Jon Dahl Tomasson) understands that if he were to play him twice for 90 minutes, then probably the player would have been injured”, Slot told the media.
The manager praised Swedish manager Jon Dahl Tomasson, along with the claim. The praise followed after the Dane’s decision to only play Alexander Isak for 18 minutes during the whole international break.
“At this moment in time, he isn’t – for the simple reason he has been out for four months. … But for him to become THE best in the world, I think the best players in the world win trophies … that is what he and we need to do.”
Quiz: Can you name the team Liverpool signed these players from?
Pep Guardiola’s rebuttal against the debate
Evidently, Pep Guardiola held his opinions in front of the media when asked about the comparison. The Spanish manager thinks that his Norwegian counterpart dwarfs the Viking duo.
“He’s the top. Isak is an exceptional player. You asked me about Erling, and he is top. He is the best striker in the world”, claimed Guardiola.
Erling Haaland, across his senior club career, has made 332 appearances in total, netting 262 goals in the process. That puts the Norwegian at 0.79 goals per game.
Alexander Isak, on the other hand, has made a total of 274 senior club appearances and has scored 133 goals in the process. That averages to 0.49 goals per game.
However, we need to take into consideration that this statistic isn’t counted under the per 90 standard, as minutes per game differ.
The most recent accurate per 90 statistics we can look at are from the last season. Haaland racked up 22 goals in 31 appearances in the English Premier League. With 2,742 minutes played, the Norwegian’s goals per 90 come down to 0.72.
Isak, however, made 34 appearances for Newcastle United last season in the Premier League, netting 23 in the process. Having played 2,774 minutes, the average reaches 0.75 goals per 90.
Both strikers differ in their playing style, but there is one thing both the Scandinavians have in common, their goal threat and it is going to be a rivalry to watch for in English football following the transfer.
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