With the plethora of top players at Manchester City’s disposal, it does not come as a surprise to several fellow professional sing their praises about facing them.
Bayern Munich dynamo Joao Palhinha named Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne as the two toughest midfielders he came up against during his debut season at Fulham.
Jude Bellingham also disclosed the challenge of facing Gundogan during their spells at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City respectively.
Renan Lodi named Riyad Mahrez as his “hardest” opponent when he played against him for Nottingham Forest when they went toe-to-toe against City.
While Tom Cairney also marvelled about De Bruyne’s pace and power while reflecting upon his battles against him.
It seems like the list is virtually endless when it comes to both current and former Manchester City players.
Rutter makes fresh claim about facing Erling Haaland
Considering such top players are playing for Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues side as well, the job for opposition stars must become even doubly harder.
Brighton’s new-boy Georginio Rutter was quizzed about the best players he has ever played against.
The 22-year-old has played in both the Premier League and Championship with Leeds United, the Ligue 1 during his spell at Rennes and the Bundesliga due to his time at Hoffenheim.
As a result, the Frenchman has had the experience of facing several top players across different nations and leagues.
But one of the players Rutter named was none other than Erling Haaland.
The ex-Leeds forward told Brighton’s in-house media: “[Erling] Haaland, very good player. [Robert] Lewandowski. Raphinha. Hatem Ben Arfa.”
During the £51 million man’s time at Borussia Dortmund, he would have come up against the Seagulls attacker.
Haaland will have plenty of players say the same about him in the future
Much like Rutter, several players will afford Haaland the same praise over time.
With the 24-year-old’s deadly blend of elite finishing, an incredible eye for goal, scorching pace and tremendous strength, he is exactly the kind of striker that can hurt any team in the world.
Furthermore, Haaland is only expected to improve over time; a scary prospect for any player and team that come up against him as time progresses.
With the respect that the Norwegian international commands as well, mentally, several of his opponents must already feel defeated after a glimpse of his towering frame in the tunnel.
