Manchester City star Erling Haaland and Newcastle United ace Alexander Isak are the two best strikers in the world right now.
Erling Haaland has actually been off the boil somewhat for Manchester City this season, but he’s still managed to score 29 goals in 39 outings.
Meanwhile, Alexander Isak has been in sensational form for Newcastle, and has 23 goals in 33 games to his name.
It has been a tough season for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, whilst Newcastle have enjoyed one of their best in recent history.
Winning the Carabao Cup final on Sunday was a huge boost for everyone involved with the club.
Whilst Pep has been falling out with some of his Man City players, the Newcastle boys are putting everything on the line for Eddie Howe, whenever they step on the pitch.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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That said, I fully expect City to bounce straight back to the top of their game next season when Rodri returns, and Pep brings more new signings to The Etihad.
Haaland will obviously be key to their chances of doing just that. He is an exceptional goalscorer but he does have clear and obvious deficiencies regarding his all-round game.
Erling Haaland recently suggested that he’s desperate to become a better dribbler, and that would definitely make him more useful in this Man City side.
Robbie Savage on who’s better – Erling Haaland or Alexander Isak
There has been huge debate recently regarding whether Isak is actually a better all-round striker than Haaland.
And now Robbie Savage has delivered his verdict on that debate.
Savage was speaking alongside Chris Sutton on the 606 Football Phone-In podcast over the weekend.
And Sutton fired a really difficult question at Savage…
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
“So here’s one for you. As a manager, okay, doing great things, comparisons with Aren Slot and what have you, you have the choice, okay, of Haaland or Alexander Isak right now?” Savage was asked
“Haaland, Haaland,” Savage said
“You just said Alexander Isak’s the best in the world right now,” Sutton said.
“All-round, but goals. But the amount of chances my team create, I’d, take Haaland, because he’ll score more goals for my team than Isak would.”
That answer will be sure to raise some eyebrows given Isak’s recent brilliance.
However, how do the records of the two strikers stack up against one another?
Erling Haaland vs Alexander Isak comparison
So let’s take a look at Haaland’s time in England with Manchester City compared to Isak’s since is switch to Newcastle.
Stats Erling Haaland Alexander Isak
Appearances 137 100
Goals 119 58
Assists 18 9
Stats via Transfermarkt.
Haaland clearly has superior numbers to Isak, but it is worth remembering that football is about a lot more than just stats.
It could be argued that the 25-year-old Swede plays more of a key role for his team than the Norwegian does for City.
Alexander Isak is exceptional at holding up the ball and linking up the play between midfield and attack, whilst Erling Haaland is more of a prolific, old school centre-forward.
Whilst the Manchester City superstar will probably end up with more goals in his career, it could be argued that the Newcastle hitman is actually a better footballer – he’s certainly more aesthetically pleasing to watch.
Haaland has obviously won more trophies than Isak, but that may well change when the Swede gets a dream move away from St James’ Park.
It just depends whether you place more importance on goals or all-round influence on games.