Over the course of the past two seasons, Manchester City have scored a remarkable 278 goals in all competitions, so that makes what we are about to say next sound more than just a little ridiculous. Pep Guardiola needs a striker.
The Etihad Stadium side made a concerted effort to land Tottenham goal machine Harry Kane last summer and failed, but they have now pulled off arguably a better purchase in the form of Norwegian man-mountain Erling Haaland.
The capture of the former Borussia Dortmund man is sure to make them all the more likely to mount a successful campaign to finally land the Champions League. All the best betting offers might even be worthy of being put to use on the kind of quadruple that rivals Liverpool are pushing for this season.
Guardiola’s side have still been able to score goals at will and have done so because they have a ridiculous amount of talent in every position, and in the attacking third, no less than six players have reached double figures when it comes to their goal return.
Goals from midfield have been crucial. Last season it was Ilkay Gundogan who stepped up to do the honours, and this season Kevin De Bruyne has added a deadly finish to his sublime game.
From out wide, both Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez have been consistent but if we are being honest, neither is deadly in front of goal. Phil Foden shows immense promise but is again not only there to finish off a move. The jury is still out in terms of £100m signing Jack Grealish, but when it comes to consistent performers, Guardiola can always depend on Bernardo Silva to provide the ammunition.
Gabriel Jesus has worked manfully across the front three but looks set to leave in the summer.
Pep Guardiola desperately needs a focal point to build a front line around. At Barcelona, that man was initially Samuel Eto’o and then became Lionel Messi, albeit in the traditional striking area that position was filled by the likes of David Villa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
At Bayern Munich, the Catalan boss opted for Mario Mandzukic before a certain Robert Lewandowski was tempted to the Allianz Arena.
It’s true that City are still managing, on the whole, to blow away the opposition, but there have been times been found wanting against the very best sides, and Haaland is built to be a success in the physical confines of the Premier League.
The 21-year-old scored an astonishing 86 goals in 89 appearances for Dortmund, and in Europe, his record of 15 goals from 13 appearances tells you just how capable he is at the highest level.
Frankly, no one would bet against Haaland scoring 20+ Premier League goals in his debut season; THAT is just how much of a talent he possesses.
Haaland has a link to City via his father, Alf-Inge, and he may well be the addition that helps them stay ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea in the Premier League and push on for that elusive Champions League triumph.