In the midst of an enthralling Premier League season, the spotlight has temporarily shifted away from Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker who burst onto the English football scene like a Terminator last season.
Instead, attention is drawn to other strikers—burly, imposing figures who captivate with their physicality and skill, evoking a sense of nostalgia for bygone eras before the rise of false nines. These players are now seizing headlines and propelling their teams to new heights.
On Saturday, it was Darwin Nunez who captured the imagination, emerging as a cult figure at Liverpool due to his penchant for audacious plays, epitomized by a brilliant chip that opened the scoring in his team’s dominant victory over Brentford in west London.
Michael Owen, one of England’s greatest goalscorers, praised Nunez’s strike but cautioned against its riskiness, suggesting that the forward should opt for simpler finishes. However, Nunez’s appeal lies in his unpredictability, and such advice seemed to go unheeded.
Sunday saw Rasmus Hojlund take center stage. Manchester United’s young Danish forward has emerged as a compelling narrative, overcoming a challenging start to his English tenure to become a prolific scorer for his club.
His brace in the victory against Luton at Kenilworth Road, including a calculated deflection with his chest, established him as the youngest player to score in six consecutive Premier League games. A muscular, rugged target man, he’s already drawing comparisons to legends like Mark Hughes and Didier Drogba.
For Liverpool or Arsenal fans, as well as managers Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta, it’s likely Erling Haaland that keeps them up at night. While he may not have replicated last season’s explosive impact, he remains the premier striker in the Premier League.
When Haaland regains his form, which is inevitable, Manchester City will be formidable once more, much like they were last season. In the thrilling three-way title race, Haaland holds the key. Despite a lackluster performance against Chelsea, where he missed several chances he would have converted during his prolific streak last season, Haaland’s potential remains undeniable.
Statistics suggest that headers are becoming less common among strikers, with the percentage dropping below 20% compared to 30 years ago, and Haaland’s performance against Chelsea did nothing to improve that figure. A collective groan echoed when he squandered a golden opportunity from a Kevin De Bruyne cross, leaving the field after the final whistle filled with remorse over his missed chances.
It may sound like a cliché, but what’s truly alarming for the rest of the league, particularly for Brentford, City’s opponents on Tuesday night, is that Haaland continues to find himself in scoring positions.
His movement against Chelsea remained impeccable, evading defenders, outmaneuvering them, and displaying unwavering hunger. Despite some expected rustiness due to a two-month absence with a foot injury, he still leads the league in goals, ahead of Mo Salah and Dominic Solanke.
With 21 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions, Haaland is far from underwhelming. He remains the most formidable weapon in the title race, and Arsenal, in particular, may regret their lack of a top-class center forward and their failure to secure a striker of Ivan Toney’s caliber in the January transfer window.
Toney, akin to Harry Kane, possesses a diverse skill set that makes him a contender for the title of the world’s best striker. However, Kane’s focus is currently on Bayern Munich’s struggles in Germany, sparing Arsenal and Liverpool from concern, while Haaland remains a looming threat.
Reflecting on Haaland’s performance, City manager Pep Guardiola remarked, “It’s promising to have nine shots, and next time he’ll find the back of the net.”
It’s difficult to argue otherwise. Brentford and the entire Premier League will be preparing for the return of the reigning king.