How Man City will line up with Haaland
FT Desk
- 13 Jun 2022 10:43 BST
- 3 min read
Erling Haaland will be a Manchester City player in 2022-23 after completing his €60 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
The transfer will instantly transform City from the most feared team in the Premier League to an even more feared proposition.
But how will City line up with the 21-year-old?
READ MORE: Haaland rejects Madrid and Barcelona to join Man City - report
Pep Guardiola boasts – along with Liverpool – arguably the strongest and deepest squad in world football so expect plenty of rotation once again during the 2022-23 season.
There will be little to no rotation in goal – especially given the recent struggles of Zack Steffen – so Ederson will remain the undisputed number one.
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In defence, Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo are among the best in the world in their roles and will continue as first-choice full backs. However, City could opt to sign a new full-back this summer to provide more cover.
In the centre of defence, John Stones and Ruben Dias have struck up an excellent partnership. If they stay, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake will be backups.
In the centre of midfield, Rodri will protect the midfield with Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva the first-choice options next to him. However, Ilkay Gundogan will also see plenty of game-time if he stays at the club.
Fernandinho will leave when his contract expires at the end of the month, so expect City to sign at least one top central midfielder who could push his way into the starting XI.
In attack, City are blessed with numerous top options.
For years now, Pep has regularly played a false nine due to the absence of a top-class number 9. With Haaland, he will finally be blessed with one of the best natural strikers in the world.
Haaland will take his place in the centre of City’s three-man attack. Gabriel Jesus would be his natural backup, although there is a good chance the Brazilian will leave in the summer.
On the right wing, Pep has increasingly preferred Riyad Mahrez – meaning Phil Foden is pushed over to the left.
Raheem Sterling has fallen down the pecking order, while Jack Grealish is running out of chances to prove his worth after his Premier League record transfer move from Aston Villa last summer.
There is no doubts over who the star attraction in attack will be, though. Erling Haaland will be expected to score close to 50 goals given the creativity and quality around him at the Etihad.
