Home SPORTS Pep Guardiola Compares Haaland and Isak: Who's the Best?

Pep Guardiola Compares Haaland and Isak: Who's the Best?

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Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola press conference


Manchester City's Erling Haaland impresses Pep Guardiola, who believes he's superior to Alexander Isak. Read more about their comparison.


“Isak must be a top player because of what they paid. Another one would say (Kylian) Mbappe, another...”


Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland is “a little bit above” Alexander Isak when it comes to ranking the world's top strikers. This comes after Liverpool manager Arne Slot claimed Isak might be the best striker globally. Guardiola expressed his confidence in Haaland, stating he wouldn't trade him for any other striker.


Isak is set to make his Liverpool debut against Burnley on Sunday, following a British-record £125 million transfer from Newcastle. Guardiola praises Isak as an exceptional player but emphasizes Haaland's superiority. Meanwhile, Guardiola is focused on getting Manchester City back on track after successive defeats against Tottenham and Brighton.


Liverpool manager Arne Slot recently praised Alexander Isak's exceptional quality after the 25-year-old trained with Premier League champions Manchester City for the first time. However, Slot's comment that Isak could be the world's best player didn't sit well with City manager Pep Guardiola.


Guardiola likely has reason to disagree with Slot's assessment, given Haaland's impressive stats and numerous records broken during his time at Manchester City. Haaland continues to demonstrate his exceptional skill, recently becoming the player with the most goals in their first 100 Premier League matches, surpassing Alan Shearer's record.




Alexander Isak made a significant impact since joining Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022, scoring 54 goals in 86 league appearances. This impressive performance helped the Magpies break their 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup last season. His talent has caught the attention of top managers, including Pep Guardiola and Liverpool's Arne Slot.


Guardiola recently shared his thoughts on Isak, saying, “A little bit above,“ when comparing him to Erling Haaland. He emphasized Haaland's exceptional abilities, stating, “Isak is an exceptional player. You asked me about Erling, and he is top.” This comparison highlights the high regard in which both players are held in the football world.


“Isak must be a top player because of what they paid. Another one would say (Kylian) Mbappe, another (Lionel) Messi, Cristiano (Ronaldo).


“I wouldn't change Erling for anyone. I know him. I like him.”


Pep Guardiola will rely heavily on Erling Haaland's goal-scoring prowess to lead Manchester City to victory in Sunday's highly anticipated Manchester derby against Manchester United. City are looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton, which have left them six points behind league leaders Liverpool. Haaland, who has scored 88 times in 100 Premier League games for City since joining in 2022, will be crucial in helping City overcome their injuries and defensive issues.




City's recent dominance in the Manchester derby hasn't guaranteed them success, as Manchester United still hold the upper hand historically. United's new manager, Ruben Amorim, has already made a significant impact, winning his first Manchester derby against City in December 2024. City's slow start to the season, with only one win in their first three league matches, adds to the pressure.


Manchester City has officially signed Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth €30 million, with potential add-ons. The 26-year-old Italy international has signed a five-year contract with the option to extend for another year. Donnarumma's arrival comes after Manchester City sold Ederson to Fenerbahce for around £12 million, marking the end of the Brazilian's eight-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.


Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is embracing the differences between new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and departing Ederson. While Ederson excelled in launching attacks with his exceptional passing range, Donnarumma brings different strengths, particularly his shot-stopping ability and physical presence. Guardiola stated, “I always try to adapt to the quality of the players. I wouldn't demand Gigi do something he is uncomfortable with.” This approach highlights Guardiola's flexibility in adjusting his team's strategy to suit the skills of his players.


Guardiola further emphasized Donnarumma's unique qualities, saying, “We didn’t take Gigi to do what Ederson has done. Gigi has another quality.” Donnarumma's impressive performances in high-stakes matches, such as the Champions League, demonstrate his ability to handle pressure and make crucial saves. Guardiola's comments suggest that he is confident in Donnarumma's abilities and is willing to adapt his tactics to maximize the Italian goalkeeper's strengths.




The upcoming Manchester derby against Manchester United on Sunday will be a significant test for City, with Donnarumma potentially making his debut. However, Guardiola refrained from confirming whether Donnarumma or James Trafford would start in goal, adding an element of intrigue to the match.


“We are talking about the best goalkeeper I have ever seen with distribution, short and long passes, in Ederson.


“We didn't take Gigi to do what Ederson has done. Gigi has another quality. He is so tall. He is so huge.


“All the keepers save shots, bring personality to the team and be a big presence. He has done that in the biggest games.”


Donnarumma expressed his excitement to join Manchester City, stating, “I'm proud to join the best club in the world, Manchester City... To be wanted so strongly by Pep Guardiola makes me emotional and happy. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to join!” He will likely compete with James Trafford for the starting goalkeeper position, but Donnarumma is confident in his abilities and is looking forward to making history with the club.


Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remains optimistic despite the team's slow start to the season. City have undergone significant changes, with several key players departing and new signings integrating into the squad. Guardiola acknowledged the challenges of such a transition, stating, “When you change 10 players in four or five months, everything needs to be settled, fixed and consistent.” He emphasized the importance of patience and time for the team to gel and find their rhythm.


Guardiola's comments reflect his understanding of the complexities involved in rebuilding a team. With major departures like Ederson and João Cancelo, and new arrivals like Gianluigi Donnarumma and Savinho, City are still finding their footing. Guardiola's confidence in his team's potential suggests that he believes the current struggles are part of the transition process and that City will improve as the season progressed.


“When you change 10 players in four or five months, everything needs to be settled, fixed and consistent,“ he said.


“We are still doing many good things, but we still need to be more consistent than we have been. Step by step, we will do it.”



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