Pep Guardiola compares Erling Haaland to two legendary players amid rampant form

Erling Haaland’s incredible form continued with two goals against Bournemouth on Sunday and Pep Guardiola has compared the striker to two of the all-time greats.

The Norwegian has been close to unstoppable so far this campaign, scoring 13 Premier League goals in 10 appearances and 17 in 13 outings across all competitions.

The 25-year-old has scored seven more goals than any other player in the Premier League after his brace in a 3-1 win over the Cherries.

He has also produced absurd numbers on the international stages, scoring nine goals in three games for Norway since the start of the season.

Guardiola is obviously thrilled to have arguably the best striker on the planet in his side and says his goal-scoring record means he can be compared to legends of the sport, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

‘This is what it’s like if you play with Messi or Ronaldo, his influence is so big,’ Guardiola said after beating Bournemouth. ‘You see the numbers of that guy? Of course he’s that level.

‘Messi and Ronaldo have done it for 15 years, but this is the level. The first goal, the way he shoots the ball, it’s like “I am going to score”.

‘He has that hunger. It’s top. I said how incredibly coachable and manageable he is.

‘I am tough sometimes with Haaland, but he is open-minded. He lives for the goals and sometimes the pressure cannot sustain 90 minutes, but that’s normal.

‘Without him it would be tough to be honest, but we are lucky that Omar [Marmoush] is back, and we have fit players, it’s good.’

Guardiola added to the BBC: ‘We are so blessed and lucky to have, first of all, an incredible person because he’s the sweetest and kindest. And he will improve. And after that, as a player the numbers are just outstanding.’

Haaland was pleased to be back on the scoresheet after a rare blank last time out in a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa.

‘Important win. It is good to bounce back after losing a bad away game. It was nice,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘I tried to contribute for the team by doing my job. It is good to win. Now two more important games to come, so keep focusing.

‘I didn’t score last game. I try to help the team to win. That is my goal and even by scoring or helping in winning duels it doesn’t matter. I want to help the team become better, that is my job.’

The win sees Manchester City climb back to second in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Arsenal.

Next comes a blockbuster clash with Liverpool at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon.