Forever Blue With Ian Cheeseman: Haaland Can Become One Of The Greatest Strikers Of All Time

Manchester City went into the International break in the perfect position, just on the shoulder of the leaders Arsenal.

What a shame that the game between the top two, originally scheduled for the middle of next month, won’t now be played until next year. With both teams in such good form, City inspired by Erling Haaland and Arsenal reignited by Gabriel Jesus, it had the potential to be an amazing game.

Ah well, events elsewhere, mean that in the first half of 2023 City will have games home and away against the clubs that appear to be their biggest title rivals this season, Spurs and the Gunners. Mikel Arteta was mentored by Pep Guardiola through the early stages of his development as a manager and now he seems to have turned Arsenal into genuine challengers. They’re top by a point. 

Tottenham impressed in their last match before the break, thanks to a hattrick from Son, who has been a real goal scoring threat against City in recent years. How many times, down the years, have the two north London clubs flattered to deceive and fallen away during the second half of the season? Too many to keep track of. Liverpool seem to have lost their mojo so far this season. When they allowed Sadio Mane to join Bayern Munich, during the summer, as a Blue, I was delighted. I felt he was always the main thrust of their attack and leg the press too.

Mo Salah has been regarded, by most, as Liverpool’s talisman, but he seems to have dropped a little from the amazing heights he’s achieved, just as City have the brightest striking talent in the World right now, in Erling Haaland. It won’t be long before City and Liverpool go head to head with the Blues due at Anfield on Sunday 16^th October. 

At Wolves City were stunning again and I now go to City games expecting to see Haaland score a goal. His goal scoring record so far is simply outstanding. He’s scoring more than a goal a game and has already set a new record by scoring in his first four Premier League away games. It’ll be a long time before we’ll know if he can match or beat Sergio Aguero’s records or even the Premier League marks set by Alan Shearer, but if he carries on the way he’s started, remains at City and stays clear of injury, I don’t see why he can’t become of of the greatest strikers of all time.

October will be a month packed with fixtures and then there will be a six week break for the World Cup. Maybe the season will be hugely influenced by the events in Qatar. Injuries and fatigue could play a part, especially for the star players. Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium could easily get to the later stages and of course during every game he plays City fans will have their hearts in their mouths, hoping for no injury. He won’t be the only key Premier League player that will have fans thinking that way.

Erling Haaland might well be sunbathing while the World Cup takes place because his country, Norway, didn’t qualify. Could that be crucial when domestic football resumes on Boxing Day? Gabriel Jesus, Harry Kane and many others will be fully focused on their National teams until just before Christmas. 

The race for the Premier League has been a two horse race during the last few years, but I can’t help thinking this one might be a bit more like the Grand National. There will be big fences to jump over, twists and turns to come and maybe even a few outsiders in the mix for once, although I’d still put my money on Haaland’s City, if I was a betting man.