Pundit claims Man City would be ‘better’ with Spurs star in team over ‘ridiculous’ Haaland

Man City striker Erling Haaland looks up

Jamie O’Hara reckons Man City would be a “better team” if they had Tottenham striker Harry Kane in their team over Erling Haaland.

The Citizens brought Haaland to the Etihad Stadium in the summer transfer window from Borussia Dortmund for £51.2m.

And the Norway international has hit the ground running at Man City with Haaland contributing 27 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions.

Tottenham striker Kane, who attempted to leave for Man City in the summer of 2021, is in good goalscoring form too with the England captain bagging 17 goals in 26 matches this term.

But former Tottenham midfielder O’Hara reckons Man City’s performances would improve if they had Kane in their team over Haaland.

O’Hara told talkSPORT: “I watch him all the time and I don’t know where Spurs would be without Harry Kane because he steps up every week.

“Everyone talks about Haaland this season because his goalscoring record has been unbelievable, but Harry Kane for Tottenham has been sensational as well.

“He’s almost scoring a goal a game. Every time he’s on the pitch he scores for us and he’s scoring all types of goals as well – the header he scored against Brentford was amazing, he’s bending them in and scoring from outside the box.

“I think he’s one of the best strikers in the world.

“I look at Haaland and I look at Man City, if Harry Kane played for Man City I think Man City would actually be a better team than they are now.

“I know Haaland scores loads of goals and it’s actually ridiculous, but for me, Harry Kane is actually a better player. I think he’s one of the best number nines and number 10s in the world.

“A lot of Man City fans are talking about how Haaland is so good, but they’re so reliant on him and that all he does is finish, but a few of them are saying we could be better here and there – if Harry Kane played for Man City they’d be a better team.”

And former Man City defender Micah Richards said on BBC Sport yesterday that Pep Guardiola’s side sometimes try to “force the ball” to Haaland too much when he is on the pitch.

“He (Foden) was coasting in again. I think sometimes watching Man City at times, because they’ve got Haaland and the form he’s in, they tend to force the ball so much, in terms of they’re looking for that killer pass every time,” Richards said on BBC Sport after watching Man City beat Chelsea 4-0 in the FA Cup.

“I think when Foden’s in there and the way they build up, it was outstanding for this penalty, then beautiful technique from Mahrez. They were deadly today, Man City.”

Richards added: “Like I said beforehand, when Haaland plays – and I’m not questioning him, he’s been outstanding – but they’re too quick to play the ball forward instead of taking their time and wearing the opposition down.

“I’m not going to be quoted as saying they’re better without him!”