FC Barcelona star Pedri was recently asked, while appearing on a social media platform, who the dream signing for his club would be. The Spaniard did not hesitate, naming Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in this exercise of fantasy football.
It’s easy to understand why, as Haaland broke the Premier League single season scoring record last season, and he has 19 goals in 21 appearances this year.
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“Haaland,” Pedri told Ibai Llanos’ Twitch channel when asked which current player he would sign for Barça.
“The guy is a cyborg. He scores so many goals.”
Pedri was then asked how the addition of Haaland would fit at the Catalan Club, given how they already have the venerable veteran Robert Lewandowski up top.
Lewandowski is not going to last until he is 60, and Haaland is much younger.” Pedri responded.
Indeed Lewandowski is 35 years old, and his form has slowed down this season. Lewy only has eight goals thus far this season, and overall, Barca have really struggled in the final third.
After winning the La Liga title last season, they currently sit in fourth place, and they are the lowest scoring team in the top four.
Meanwhile Haaland has scored 71 times in 75 appearances for Man City, who won a treble last season. Their next match is Sunday, when they take on Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup third round. Haaland is not likely to play in that clash however, as he is still battling a foot injury.
As for Barcelona, they will pay a visit to UD Las Palmas tomorrow night, for a league clash.
And they may already have their Lewandowski successor in place, as they just signed teenage Brazilian striker Vitor Roque from Club Athletico Paranaense.
Roque may even feature at the island club on Thursday.
“He is always smiling,” Pedri said of Roque and his arrival.
“Brazilian players transmit magic. He’s really young, so let’s not ask him to be the new Pelé, but he is a player with bags of confidence.”
In other words, Haaland is Barca isn’t going to happen.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.