Amongst the long list of incredible attributes one can associate with Erling Haaland’s game, his strength is right up there amongst his very best.
Owen Hargreaves described Haaland as “crazy strong” and claimed that it is impossible to overpower him for defenders.
Since his time as a youngster, the Manchester City striker has had the strength to outmuscle some of the most experienced and strongest centre-backs in Europe.
Ruben Dias, who is known to dominate centre-forwards tumbled to the floor after going shoulder to shoulder with Haaland in City’s second-leg of the last-16 clash against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Haaland could be one of the strongest number nines that the game has seen in recent memory.
The 24-year-old is well and truly a force of nature — being able to go toe-to-toe with some of the strongest players in the world.
Rodri says Erling Haaland is not as strong as Man City star
However, Pep Guardiola has several brutes at his disposal.
Perhaps some of City’s players are not associated with being as strong as they are because of their sublime technical ability.
But rarely does this team ever come second best in duels or physical match-ups as a whole.
In a video with Manchester City’s official in-house media, Nathan Ake was told about his physicality being rated 77 in EA FC25 in comparison to Manuel Akanji, whose was rated 82.
Ake replied: “Yeah, he’s so strong.”
Rodri claimed the £15 million man is stronger than every player at the club.
Rodri said: “I think he’s the strongest at the club to be fair.”
Surprise to hear Rodri make such a claim about Manuel Akanji
Akanji’s strength is clear to see on the pitch — with the way he dominates forwards week in and week out.
The Swiss international tends to come out on top in a majority of his tussles, especially in wide areas, which is why he has become such a reliable option as a full-back for Pep Guardiola.
But Rodri’s revelation about the former Borussia Dortmund centre-back being stronger than the likes of Haaland, Ake and Dias is a surprise.
The Spaniard could perhaps even qualify for being one of the strongest players at Manchester City.
With Akanji being an astute defender who is renowned for being terrific in possession, he is perhaps not associated as much with also being brutish at the back when he is demanded to be.
