Erling Haaland

[blue b4 the moon]

Santa Cruz was a bit of a let down too in the past 5 years for us.

Not to mention Buster Phillips....seems only yesterday.

 

[StillBluessinceHydeRoad]

Not to mention Buster Phillips....seems only yesterday.

Ah! Buster. One of a kind. They threw the mould away when they made Buster. Worth ten million if he was worth a penny in those days.

 

[feelymcfeel]

Yaya was fantastic, I loved the way he’d charge half the length of the pitch shrugging defenders off then just hoof it into the net.

That goal he scored against Villa was like watching someone in Yr 11 playing against Yr 7s on the yard at school. It was like Villa players weren't even there. Don't think I'll ever forget that goal.

 

[David Silva]

That goal he scored against Villa was like watching someone in Yr 11 playing against Yr 7s on the yard at school. It was like Villa players weren't even there. Don't think I'll ever forget that goal.

The reaction in the ground was brilliant too. Crowd noise got louder and louder each time he shrugged a player off and got closer to goal, then exploded as he put it away. Great night that.

 

[Cityfan]

Fernando, Aké, Nolito, Bravo in addition to Mendy, Mangala, Bony

Decent amount actually.

Ake has been injured and Mendy is a player who has never really recovered from a bad injury rather than one we got wrong. Regretfully it happens.
Mangala, Fernando and Bony were all a while back.
Bravo and Nolito didn't really work though I agree.

 

[JCB001]

That goal he scored against Villa was like watching someone in Yr 11 playing against Yr 7s on the yard at school. It was like Villa players weren't even there. Don't think I'll ever forget that goal.

Downhill from there on in for the big fella IMHO :(

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Although I really want us to sign Haaland I'm increasing skeptical that we will do so:

1) Our best 11 is now a strikerless side; and we're very successful in this sort of lineup. As such, the need to sign a top striker if attenuated;
2) Haaland, if Dortmund sells, is going to command - most likely - a world record transfer fee. Our transfer policy is to sign quality players, but to look for bargains; we've never (I think) signed the most expensive player or even close at any position regardless of talent - we look for bargains;
3) Pep has previously stated that we cannot afford to sign a top, top price striker such as Haaland.
4) We're under UEFA scrutiny for FFP - and our role - however reluctant - in the Super League breakaway - will likely make us much more likely to proceed with caution - to avoid further upsetting UEFA.
===
If Haaland is committed to joining our side - I'm sure we'll make it happen.

Yet, Haaland has not expressed such a desire.
===
For me - it's 1-in-10, probably less, that we sign Haaland in the next window.

 

[blueparrot]

Ake has been injured and Mendy is a player who has never really recovered from a bad injury rather than one we got wrong. Regretfully it happens.
Mangala, Fernando and Bony were all a while back.
Bravo and Nolito didn't really work though I agree.

Bravo did work, okay he didn't work as a number 1 but he was a good number 2 that contributed to a couple of trophies. We did okay for £17mill

 

[Semper aggressus]

1) I think our best 11 is only strikerless because we don’t have a striker good enough to put away the chances we create. You could see in the league cup final and against PSG where there was a big space in the box that no midfielder had quite reached or anticipated, no striker’s instinct. We get away with it mostly because we have such good players and create so much, but with Haaland imagine how many more goals this side would get.

2) We don’t have to look for bargains, we’re probably in a better financial position than any other club in the world. Aguero wages off the books soon too. I believe we have a value we perceive a player to be, and until now none have been worth what the selling club thinks. However, I think for Haaland, given we have no world class striker now, and this team clearly needs one, then the board will deem him to be worth a lot more than we’ve previously spent.

3) Mind games. Plus why tell sellers how much cash we can spend?

4) Fuck ffp. We won at CAS, we’re one of the world‘s best run and richest clubs with more income on the way from winning the league and going so far in the CL.

 

[Woody135]

Although I really want us to sign Haaland I'm increasing skeptical that we will do so:

1) Our best 11 is now a strikerless side; and we're very successful in this sort of lineup. As such, the need to sign a top striker if attenuated;
2) Haaland, if Dortmund sells, is going to command - most likely - a world record transfer fee. Our transfer policy is to sign quality players, but to look for bargains; we've never (I think) signed the most expensive player or even close at any position regardless of talent - we look for bargains;
3) Pep has previously stated that we cannot afford to sign a top, top price striker such as Haaland.
4) We're under UEFA scrutiny for FFP - and our role - however reluctant - in the Super League breakaway - will likely make us much more likely to proceed with caution - to avoid further upsetting UEFA.
===
If Haaland is committed to joining our side - I'm sure we'll make it happen.

Yet, Haaland has not expressed such a desire.
===
For me - it's 1-in-10, probably less, that we sign Haaland in the next window.

Nicely framed, however I disagree:

1) We need to have options and suggest we would have much less success next season if we employed a false 9 approach again

2) Incredible talents demand big fees. We havent bought a starting striker for nearly 10 years. Eventually this needs to change. We’ll regret trying to moneyball agueros replacement. We’ve proven we are not afraid to pay what it takes to get what we think will revolutionise our side, hence the cost of our defence.

3) I wouldnt expect Pep to publically say we can/will pay a record fee as that instantly puts you on the backfoot irrespective of private discussions.

4) UEFA rules havent changed since the ESL debacle. If it was affordable before its affordable now.

5) Are you expecting Haaland to tell us he wants to play for city. Disrespectful to his club, teammates, fans etc. And what if it doesnt go through anyway. What does he do then. Cant expect any player to say where they want to go publically.

Doesnt mean its more or less likely. But if you want to be pessimistic by all means, but not for these reasons