Gary Lineker has named a Manchester City star as the current-day footballer who reminds him the most of himself.
Though now renowned as the host of Match of the Day and the face of Walkers crisps, Gary Lineker was a sensational striker back in his playing days.
The 63-year-old enjoyed a career spanning 16 years and scored 331 goals during spells at Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham as well as for England.
Lineker is one of the best strikers England has ever produced so it may be of little surprise that the player who reminds him the most of himself is Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
Gary Lineker on the differences between himself and Erling Haaland
When asked which player reminds him of himself on The Rest is Football’s YouTube channel, Lineker said: “Obviously it would have to be a goalscorer.
“I’m kind of a mini version of Haaland. I’m not talking about the amount, he’ll score more goals than me because he’s got a bit more about him, he plays in an unbelievably good team.
“But I see so much of myself in him, I see his desire and his hunger to score goals which is absolutely paramount to being a top scorer.
“I see his speed, which I had, he’s obviously a lot bigger than me so he creates more of a threat in that sense.
“But his movement in the box is very similar. He gets it. He knows how to gamble on space.
“Sometimes it’s difficult for him because a lot of teams play a really low block against City and have crowded penalty areas.
“But even then he does still find those little areas, those bits of space, so I would probably say him if that doesn’t sound too boastful.”
Erling Haaland is getting back to his best
It could certainly be seen as a little boastful given Lineker has compared himself to the best striker on the planet but he wasn’t half bad himself.
Both strikers have a similar killer instinct in the penalty area and can be relied upon to score when it matters most
Lineker needs to watch out, though, as Haaland is already less than 100 goals away from catching his tally and he is still just 23.
If Haaland keeps scoring at the same remarkable rate then he will go down as the best striker of all time without question.
He could feasibly play at the top level for another 10 years at least, which on his current average would see him bag another 300 goals. Potentially putting him just shy of 550.
But City will just be hoping he continues getting back to full fitness after a rusty period following his return from injury.
The five he scored against Luton would suggest he is which is perfect timing ahead of facing Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal in March.
