Pep Guardiola has insisted that Erling Haaland remains “a little bit above” Alexander Isak, responding to Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s claim that the Sweden striker could be “maybe the best striker in the world.”
Isak, who completed a British-record £125 million ($169 million) move from Newcastle on transfer deadline day, could make his Liverpool debut at Burnley on Sunday. Slot praised the 25-year-old’s quality after his first training session with the Premier League champions, but Guardiola was quick to back his Manchester City striker.
“A little bit above,” Guardiola said of Haaland. “Isak is an exceptional player. You asked me about Erling, and he is top. Isak must be a top player because of what they paid. Another one would say Kylian Mbappe, another Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. I wouldn’t change Erling for anyone. I know him. I like him.”
Haaland has scored 88 goals in 100 Premier League appearances since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, helping them win two league titles, the Champions League, and the FA Cup. Isak scored 54 goals in 86 league appearances for Newcastle after moving from Real Sociedad in 2022, playing a key role in the Magpies’ League Cup triumph last season.
Guardiola also addressed City’s new goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain to replace Ederson, now at Fenerbahce. “I always try to adapt to the quality of the players. I wouldn’t demand Gigi do something he is uncomfortable with,” Guardiola said. “We didn’t take Gigi to do what Ederson has done. Gigi has another quality. He is so tall. He is so huge. All the keepers save shots, bring personality to the team, and are a big presence. He has done that in the biggest games.”
Despite City’s slow start to the season following a third-place finish last term, Guardiola remains confident in his squad. “When you change 10 players in four or five months, everything needs to be settled, fixed, and consistent. We are still doing many good things, but we still need to be more consistent than we have been. Step by step we will do it.”
City will need Haaland at his best as they aim to recover in Sunday’s Manchester derby after consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton.
