Two incredible strikers go head to head at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday when Man City host Newcastle United. It’s a crucial clash at the top of the Premier League and will feature some of the best players in the world.
No more so than Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland. The Scandanavian duo are at the top of their game, and will spearhead the attack for their respective sides as United and City aim to keep their Champions League qualification progress going.
Their records this season are very similar. Haaland has 19 goals from 24 games; Isak with 17 from 22. The two hitmen both trail Mohamed Salah (22) in the race for the golden boot and will be looking to close the gap on the Egyptian at the Etihad.
Haaland committed his future to City earlier this season, signing an incredible new nine-year contract, while Isak has seen a transfer valuation of £150 placed on his head amid reported interest from all over Europe, with Newcastle looking to tie him down to a new deal of his own.
The strike pair are vitally important to both Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe’s tactics, but who is the best out of the two? And who would you rather have in your team? We asked our writers for their view and you can have your say in our poll at the bottom of the page.
Lee Ryder
Erling Haaland has the better goals record but then again look at the players he’s had around him. Newcastle and Alexander Isak have been on a different journey and are very much a team on the rise with a striker at 25 who sees his career on the upward trajectory too.
Who would I rather have in this Newcastle team? The answer has to be Isak as when Newcastle play to his strengths he looks unbeatable. I think that Isak will only get better and better and is gelling very well with Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy. I’m not sure that Haaland fits into Eddie Howe’s style and general mindset around the club. They are both class players but it’s Isak for me.
Ciaran Kelly
Can I pick both? What a partnership that would be! If you had asked me this a year ago, I would have given you a different answer – Erling Haaland is a freak, after all – but Alexander Isak has added so much to his game in that time.
As well as offering this side an added dimension with his link-up play, and dribbling ability, Isak is developing into a penalty box striker with the durability to match after staying fit for an extended period for, arguably, the first time in his Newcastle career. We always knew Isak was capable of the spectacular, but the 25-year-old is now starting to score scruffy goals.
While Haaland is unstoppable, and has been doing it year-in, year-out for several seasons now, Isak has that elusiveness that terrifies defenders and helps set him apart. No wonder William Saliba and Gabriel looked so unsettled. Not just at the Emirates last month but, also, at St James’ Park last week.
Aaron Stokes
Plenty Newcastle United supporters have been shot down for claiming Alexander Isak is a better footballer than Erling Haaland… but they are right.
When it comes to pure goalscoring, I’m not sure anyone can rival the Manchester City forward. I’ll happily admit to that. I was baffled to see a statistic this week that Haaland has more goals in the Champions League than the likes of Didier Drogba, Sergio Aguero, Neymar, Harry Kane, Thomas Muller and Wayne Rooney. He is 24…
But take away his goals and his all-round game is nothing to write home about. Isak, on the other hand, has it all. Incredible dribbling ability, blistering pace, great build up play, exceptional link up skills – and the list could go on.
Having watched the Swede week-in, week-out, I stand with Eddie Howe when he claims he would not swap Isak for anyone. Long may he continue to punish defences in black and white.
Alan Shearer
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: “It’s tough to pick between Isak and Haaland so far this season, if you go from what he did last season to this, then look at the goalscoring charts then Haaland is still there at the top. Isak is getting better all of the time. He scored 25 goals last season and is on target to beat that this time around. I’m not sure if I can pick between the two, because they’re both scoring goals.
“They’re very different players and both great, but I think Isak would suit me better as a strike partner, because Haaland and myself would take up the same space. Haaland is the out-and-out number nine – he doesn’t really want to drift out onto the wings, which Isak is comfortable doing and going past players as well.
“I would definitely have got more goals playing alongside Isak, because he would create more for me, and do my running! I did something while covering the Champions League game between Man City and Real Madrid, with Wayne Rooney on the touchline, where we were talking about Mbappe and Haaland. They’re also two very different forwards.”
Ross Gregory
He’s overrated, Haaland mind, isn’t he? Flat track bully and all that? Well, maybe not quite but I don’t think he’s the mega forward that others do. In fact, I’d say he’s around the level of Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski in their pomp, which by the way is still an absolutely extraordinary level.
Isak’s all-round game is better, of that there is no doubt. He works the channels, presses, drops deep, creates and scores. He’s not as prolific as Haaland though, he’s probably not as good a finisher – even if some of his strikes this season have been out of the top drawer – and the City man is better in the air.
I reckon defenders would prefer to play against Haaland than Isak, so if you’re asking who would I rather have in my team, I’ll stick with the Newcastle man. Watching big Erling bag a hat-trick on Saturday now!
Stuart Jamieson
This a tough one, and I might have to fudge it a little. If it’s a case of who is the all-round better player then Isak wins at a canter. He has everything in his locker – pace, skill, intelligence and an ability to finish from anywhere. But if it’s who is the better centre-forward, then I’m afraid it has to be Haaland. When it comes to that goalscoring instinct, there are not many like the Norwegian, plus he has an unbelievable ability in the air.
So who would I rather have in my team? It sticks in my throat to say it, but in the position they both play now – a through-the-middle centre forward – then Haaland just edges it, and may Eddie Howe have mercy on my soul.
Now have your say. Leave your verdict in the comments section and take part in our poll below.
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