Those remarks sparked a debate given the City striker still has far to go to eclipse Alan Shearer’s 260 Premier League goals. With respect, drawing a line when the Premier League formed in 1992 is nonsense. Jimmy Greaves, who scored a staggering 357 top-flight goals in 516 appearances, is the best goalscorer of all time in this country. That is the bar Haaland can reach should he remain at City for the duration of his contract.
Haaland, 25, is four short of a century of English league goals, on the brink of the landmark after 105 appearances. Greaves did it in 109 league games, Shearer reached treble figures in 125, Harry Kane in 141, Sergio Aguero 147 and Thierry Henry in 160. Based on his current ratio, Haaland will smash every record and has the potential to become the most prolific striker in the history of the game.
Already in the Rush and Henry category
Haaland’s amazing strike rate is enough to support my argument that it is a matter of when he gets there, not if, so long as he stays fit. But there is another criteria which is just as significant in assessing his place at No 1; the direct impact Haaland has had on his club’s expanding list of major trophies.
When comparing Haaland to other great No 9s who have excelled in this country, it must be recognised that his goals have been pivotal in winning the biggest honours, not just golden boots. He has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and an FA Cup so far.
