Fabrizio says £86m player would never sign for Manchester City because of Erling Haaland

Manchester City has witnessed numerous players linked with the club over the years, some of whom almost made the move to the Etihad, only for the deal to fall through or for them to join a different club. Among the most high-profile transfer sagas was the near-miss with Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021. Just when it seemed like City had wrapped up the signing of the Portuguese forward, the situation dramatically changed, and Ronaldo returned to Manchester United instead. Similarly, there was a time when Lionel Messi seemed poised to make a move to Manchester City when he left Barcelona, but in the end, Messi chose to join Paris Saint-Germain. These missed opportunities are not just limited to the modern era; in the past, City has also tried to land several other top talents who eventually ended up elsewhere. The likes of Isco, Kaka, and Ivan Rakitic were all on the radar, but for various reasons, their moves to Manchester City never came to fruition. Harry Kane, one of the top strikers in the world, has also been linked with a move to Manchester City in recent years, with the speculation intensifying as Kane continues to make a name for himself at Tottenham Hotspur.

Recently, there have been rumors suggesting that Kane could return to the Premier League, and given his talent and track record, it’s understandable why so many clubs would be interested in acquiring him. As always, the question arises: where might he end up if he does return to England? One person who has shared his thoughts on Kane’s potential future is Ally McCoist, the former footballer turned pundit, who was discussing the situation on TalkSPORT. McCoist’s perspective is particularly interesting because he is someone who has vast experience both as a player and a pundit and has a keen insight into the dynamics of the Premier League.

McCoist firmly believes that Harry Kane will not join Manchester City should he make a return to the Premier League. His reasoning stems from the presence of Erling Haaland at the club, and the impact Haaland’s presence would have on any potential arrival of Kane. Haaland, who has been a revelation since joining Manchester City, is one of the most prolific strikers in the world, and he has quickly cemented his place as the focal point of Pep Guardiola’s attack. McCoist argues that with Haaland already occupying the number nine role, there would be no space for Kane, especially considering Guardiola’s tactics, which rarely see two strikers operating at the same time. Guardiola’s preferred system usually involves a lone striker, with the focus being on getting the best out of that one player. Therefore, a partnership between Kane and Haaland, at least in McCoist’s view, doesn’t seem like a feasible option.

McCoist even went so far as to suggest that if Kane were to leave Tottenham and return to the Premier League, Liverpool could be a more realistic destination. The pundit explained that Kane would be an excellent fit for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, a team that has relied heavily on the attacking prowess of Mohamed Salah and the pressing game of their forwards. McCoist feels that Kane would thrive at Liverpool, scoring a tremendous number of goals and providing the kind of clinical finishing that the team might need to challenge for titles once again. He further emphasized that while Arsenal wouldn’t be an option for Kane, a move to Liverpool seemed much more plausible given the current situation at City and the way Klopp’s system is designed.

While McCoist’s thoughts are interesting, they also highlight the delicate balance that clubs must strike when building their squads. Kane is, without a doubt, one of the most talented strikers in the world. His ability to score goals, drop deep to link up play, and his intelligence on the pitch makes him an asset for any team. The suggestion that he would be unwilling to compete for minutes with Haaland is entirely understandable. In fact, Kane has often been the focal point of Tottenham’s attack, and the thought of sharing that role with another world-class striker like Haaland could be unappealing. It’s a situation that could easily lead to frustration for a player who has spent the majority of his career as a starting striker, carrying the responsibility for his team’s goals.

However, while Kane may be unlikely to join City due to the presence of Haaland, it’s important to note that Kane himself has expressed admiration for the Norwegian striker. In an interview, Kane openly praised Haaland, calling him a “real machine” and one of the best goal scorers in the world at the moment. Kane acknowledged Haaland’s physicality and the danger he poses to defenders, recognizing that the Norwegian is a unique talent. This admiration, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that Kane would be willing to play alongside him, given the potential for reduced playing time or a change in his role within the team. It’s one thing to appreciate another player’s talents from afar; it’s quite another to compete with them for the starting position.

The dynamics between Kane and Haaland are fascinating to consider. Both players are incredibly gifted and could potentially complement each other in a way that would make Manchester City’s attack even more formidable. However, as McCoist pointed out, Guardiola’s tactical setup does not usually accommodate two central strikers, and therefore, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where both players would be utilized to their full potential at the same time. This is the crux of the issue for Kane. While he may be open to playing alongside Haaland in theory, the reality of the situation suggests that his chances of regularly starting for City would be significantly reduced if Haaland is already occupying the number nine position.

On the other hand, the prospect of Kane playing for Liverpool presents a different set of opportunities. Liverpool, under Klopp, has often played with a fluid attacking system, with their forwards interchanging positions and creating space for each other. While the club has relied heavily on Salah for goals, Kane’s arrival would give them an additional dimension, providing a more traditional focal point in attack. Kane’s ability to hold up the ball, make intelligent runs, and finish chances would make him a valuable asset in Liverpool’s pursuit of another Premier League title. McCoist’s suggestion that Kane could thrive in such a system is one that many would agree with, especially considering Kane’s style of play, which aligns well with the fast-paced, direct approach that Liverpool has used to such great effect under Klopp.

In conclusion, while the possibility of Harry Kane joining Manchester City has been a topic of much speculation in recent years, it seems increasingly unlikely due to the presence of Erling Haaland at the club. Haaland’s incredible form and his importance to City’s tactical setup make it difficult to envision a situation where both players would be used effectively in the same team. McCoist’s view that Kane would be better off moving to Liverpool makes sense, given the current circumstances at both clubs. Kane is a world-class striker, and while he may admire Haaland’s talents, he is unlikely to want to compete for minutes with the Norwegian at City. A move to Liverpool, where he would be a key figure in the attack, seems like a more viable option for the England captain should he choose to return to the Premier League. Ultimately, Kane’s next move will be one of the most closely watched transfer sagas in the coming years, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.