While some have suggested that the arrival of Erling Haaland has weakened Manchester City, goalkeeper Ederson disagrees.
Erling Haaland is the striker Manchester City need and suggestions the Norwegian only scores “easy” goals are a “lie”, according to team-mate Ederson.
Haaland has scored 32 goals in 31 games for City in all competitions since his move from Borussia Dortmund last year – more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
He has scored 26 of those goals in the Premier League, but as City struggle to break away from Arsenal and Manchester United in the title race, the 22-year-old has attracted criticism of late.
Arsenal great Thierry Henry suggested Tottenham’s Harry Kane could be a better fit for City, while former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said Haaland “chose the wrong club”.
However, Ederson believes Haaland is a good fit for City’s style, although he admits Pep Guardiola’s men have had to adapt to his characteristics.
“When he arrived we said he would score a lot – and that’s what happened. He’s a great scorer, always trying to score and help the team,” Ederson told UEFA.com.
“He is the striker we needed because compared to Gabriel [Jesus], they are different players. Gabi likes to come from outside, he is stronger and more versatile. Haaland plays more centrally, he tries to get into the box, he is a target in the area.
“That was the main difference. When you get into the final third, you have someone who is always going to be in the area.”
“A lot of people say most of the goals he scores are easy – but that’s a lie. It’s his positioning – that’s his best ability. He doesn’t score easy goals, he can position himself very well.”
“I hope he will continue to score a lot of goals, make us happy and we will continue to work together to win all the titles.”
City return to Champions League action when they visit RB Leipzig on Wednesday in the first leg of the fixture for 16 years, and with Haaland having scored 28 goals in 23 appearances in the competition during his career, the club will be hoping his finishing ability will help them fulfill their goals. the first European crown.
Ederson is in no doubt about the importance of continental success for City, saying: “That is our main goal, the club’s main goal.
“We’ve been trying [to win it] and we’ll keep trying. We haven’t won it yet, we’ve been to the final [in 2021] and a couple of semi-finals and we haven’t come out with a good result.
“But I think this year we are more than capable of reaching the final and fighting for the title.
“Now this title is what the club needs, we the athletes need it and Guardiola needs it here at the club. We will try for it this year. We are going for it.”
Haaland scored six goals in four games against Leipzig during his time at Dortmund, averaging a goal every 60 minutes against them.
