Phil Foden can see similarities between Erling Haaland and Manchester City’s excellent Sergio Aguero regarding his new team-mate’s “scary” finishing ability.
Haaland joined City in a £64.2million (€75m) deal earlier this transfer window on the back of scoring 86 goals in 89 appearances in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund.
Only Robert Lewandowski (122) and Kylian Mbappe (89) scored more among players from Europe’s top five leagues.
Indeed, Lewandowski (1.81) – recently left Bayern Munich for Barcelona.
He is the only player to boast a better goals-per-game ratio than Haaland (1.07) during that period.
A year after Aguero’s exit for Barca, where the Argentine managed just five appearances before a heart issue forced him to retire, Haaland has big boots to fill at the Etihad Stadium.
Aguero scored 257 goals in 384 appearances for City.
But Foden believes the reigning Premier League champions are in good hands with Haaland.
The England international told Sky Sports:
“In front of goal, he’s scary.
“Everyone knows his goal record, how many he scores.
“But he’s coming into a completely different league, much faster football.
“So it might take him time to get used to.
“But I’m sure he will be unstoppable when he’s in his flow.
“Aguero is very similar. Haaland has got all different types of finishes as well.
“He’s scary in front of goal and if we can get him the ball in the right areas.
“He’s going to be important for us this year.”
Haaland was restricted to 30 games in all competitions for Dortmund last season.
Yet he still managed 29 goals at a rate of 1.14 per 90 minutes.
Of those 29 strikes, which came from an expected goals (xG) return of 25.84, five were scored with his head, three with his right foot and 21 with his stronger left.
The Norway international scored the winner on his first outing for City in last week’s friendly against Bayern Munich, and the field is not the only place he is making an impact.
“He’s a top guy off the pitch, a great character, a great addition to the team,” Foden explained.
“He makes everyone laugh, and he’s dead humble, which is essential when you come into a team.
“And He’s hungry to achieve things with us, so it can only mean good things.”
Haaland will make his domestic bow for City when Pep Guardiola’s side takes on FA Cup winners and Premier League rivals Liverpool in the Community Shield on Saturday.
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