Michail Antonio has labelled Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as one of the world-class players currently in the Premier League.
The Norwegian has been out of action for a month with an ankle issue, resulting in him missing City’s four previous Premier League games as well as their two matches in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Despite that, another top-flight centre-forward has shared his verdict on the City star and where he ranks among some of the Premier League’s other top players.
Antonio hails ‘world-class’ Haaland
Speaking in a recent episode of The Footballer’s Football Podcast, Antonio had this to say about Haaland when discussing his thoughts on what constitutes a player to be described as world class.
He said: “For me, world-class is doing it at the best and being one of the best in the best situation. So for me world-class, [Bukayo] Saka is world-class, for me, [Gabriel] Jesus is world-class, for me, Haaland is world-class, for me, Mo Salah is world-class.
“For me, any people in that top four fighting for the top of the Premier League, they are world-class players because they’re in the best league and doing the best.”
City signed the 23-year-old during the 2022 summer transfer window from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £51m.
Since then, the Norway international has made 75 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions, scoring 71 goals and providing 14 assists along the way.
Having broke numerous records across his debut Premier League campaign and then going on to finish second in the Ballon d’Or rankings, this highlights why Haaland deserves the ‘world-class’ label Antonio has given him.
Moving forward, if the striker can continue scoring goals and helping his side get closer to winning more trophies, he’ll undoubtedly find himself on the end of even more recognition for his efforts.
