Liverpool midfielder turned football pundit Dietmar Hamann shared his verdict on Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland and also shared his thoughts on who he thinks is the best centre-forward in the world.
Hamann feels Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen is the next big thing and he considers the Nigerian forward to be better and more all-round striker than Haaland.
When asked about Haaland and his exploits, Hamann was smart to throw Osimhen’s name in the mix. The Nigerian has been linked with several top european clubs and Hamann feels he is superior to the Norwegian.
“Haaland is probably the best centre-forward in Europe at the moment – if you look at his goalscoring record, you would also have to mention Osimhen in this conversation who is a brilliant player,” he told Football365.
Haaland created history when he scored five goals in a Champions Legaue second leg clash against RB Leipzig. He became the second player after Lionel Messi to score five in this competition.
Hamann lauds Haaland for being so prolific but he also argues if the Norwegian makes City an overall better team or not. He asks if City have that advantage of Haaland which assures them of winning the Champions League this season.
“For Haaland to score five, it’s brilliant. But obviously the jury is still out as to whether he makes Manchester City better overall across a season. Having him is great, but that doesn’t mean they get a bye for the rest of the Champions League,” he highlighted.
Manchester United are heavily linked with Osimhen and manager Erik ten Hag feels he is a type of striker who will elevate the level of the team. The Nigerian striker netted 23 times and provided five assists in 28 appearances across competitions in this term, helping Napoli maintain a massive lead in the Serie A and also reaching the last 8 in the Champions League.
Making a judgement on Haaland and Osimhen, Hamann feels Haaland is too direct. However he admits that he was wrong about him initiall. But feels that despite adding him, City may go trophyless this season. So for him Osimhen is more versatile and probably the best centre-forward in the world right now.
“For me, Osimhen is probably a better all-round player than Haaland right now and links up play better. Haaland is a very direct player and I was cautious whether he really fits into that city team. He may prove me wrong at the moment, if you look at his goalscoring and stats, but they could still be trophyless at the end of the season.”
“I think he’s a player every top club should go for, because for me at the moment, Osimhen is the best centre-forward in the world,” Hamann concluded.
Manchester United courtesy of a solitary goal from Marcus Rashford defeated Real Betis in the second leg of the Europa League and remains the only English club to progress to the last eight of competition.
