How Manchester City could line up with Erling Braut Haaland

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 10 October 2021

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester City could line up if they manage to bring Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland to the Etihad Stadium.

Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly turned their attention to Borussia Dortmund star Erling Braut Haaland, as their search for a new striker goes on.

Pep Guardiola's side are determined to recruit a centre-forward in one of the upcoming transfer windows, after failing to lure their primary target Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur over the summer.

The England captain – valued at around £150m by Spurs – remains City's number one target, however they are also considering cheaper alternatives and have identified Haaland, who will see his release clause worth around £70m become active next summer.

The Citizens are not the only club interested in the Norwegian's services as the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also monitoring the 21-year-old's situation.

However, one report suggests that City are hoping to jump to the front of the queue, as they are set to hold talks with Haaland's agent Mino Raiola in January ahead of a proposed transfer in the summer of 2022.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Guardiola's side could line up if they manage to bring Haaland to the Etihad Stadium.

MCFC Haaland XI

After Gabriel Jesus confirmed his desire to play as a winger for Man City, Guardiola has since tried several of his attacking players in the number nine position, particularly Ferran Torres, while the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden have also featured in the central role.

However, if the Citizens were to add Haaland to their ranks, then the Norwegian would slot straight into the starting lineup, playing regularly as their leading marksman.

Arguably one of the most feared strikers in world football at present – having scored 68 goals in 67 appearances across all competitions for Dortmund – Haaland would relish the chance to get on the end of killer passes fed into dangerous areas by De Bruyne and co.

The Belgian playmaker, when fit, is one of the first names on the teamsheet and will work his magic in central midfield alongside either Foden, Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva, while Fernandinho and Rodri continue to compete with each other for the defensive midfield role in front of the back four.

While Kyle Walker operates at right-back, Joao Cancelo is seemingly Guardiola's first-choice left-back, after starting every Premier League game so far this season, though Oleksandr Zinchenko remains an option for the Spaniard if he prefers to use a naturally left-footed player in this position.

After a stellar maiden campaign for Man City last season, Ruben Dias has established himself as their first choice centre-back and is now one of the club's vice-captains, while Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Nathan Ake are all competing for a place alongside the Portuguese international in the first XI, shielding Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson.