Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland has now reached the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of goal scoring after helping Manchester City to a 3-1 win over Bournemouth with a brace at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland leads the race for the Premier League Golden Boot with 11 goals so far this season – five more than four players on six – and is now just two league goals away from reaching the 100 mark for City.
But while his prolific start to the season has ensured that City now sit second in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Arsenal, no teammate has scored more than one league goal for Guardiola’s side.
The City manager said that because of his dominance of the scoring charts, Haaland is now as reliable and tough as Messi and Ronaldo were when they were at their peak.
“We played really well again and Erling was decisive,” Guardiola said. “It’s a bit like when you play with Messi or Cristiano, you know? The impact is very big.
“Has he reached this level? Do you see that guy’s numbers? Oh my God, yes, of course he is at the same level as Cristiano and Messi’s numbers.
“The difference between Cristiano and Messi is that they have been doing this for 15 years. You see, Messi is still in the American League, he scores two or three goals every day. Cristiano and the Saudi are the same.
“But he is at this level and without him things will be difficult.”
Guardiola said that Haaland’s determination to score and his willingness to learn are his basic qualities.
“The way he shoots the ball, right? He shoots the ball and goes down the grass. It’s like I’m going to score,” Guardiola said.
“I’ve said many times, he’s incredibly coachable and I’m strict with him sometimes.
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“I always try to be open with him and there are players who say: ‘What are you talking about?’ “He’s completely humble, he wants to do it and he lives for the goals.”
City will face Liverpool at Etihad Stadium next Sunday in a match that could determine Arsenal’s most likely competitor in the title race.
Guardiola said that although Arsenal are “in a moment”, he believes his team are improving all the time.
“I hope Arsenal can concede one goal one day,” Guardiola said.
“I had a feeling since the World Cup that we were in that moment. But we only have ten games to go, 28 games to go, a lot of things will happen and I feel the team is improving.”
With 98 goals in 107 games, Haaland is on track to become the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, overtaking Alan Shearer, who has claimed the honor in 124 games.
