Alan Shearer believes Erling Haaland is the best striker in the world right now – but he’s not convinced he’ll beat his Premier League goals record.
The Manchester City striker was on fire again at the weekend as he scored his second hat-trick in three games to beat West Ham 3-1. This brings his current season total to seven, and his overall to 70 in 69 Premier League appearances.
Haaland’s stellar start to the season, plus his multiple honours since joining City in 2022, has Shearer convinced that he is the best striker in world football right now – and he doesn’t think the Norwegian will slow down anytime soon.
However, Shearer is not convinced that Haaland will break his goal-scoring record in the Premier League, which stands at a whopping 260, as the uncertainty at City may see him make an Etihad exit.
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: “I think if Harry Kane was to come back to the Premier League in a couple of years, then he may have a chance of breaking my record, but there’s no doubt that if Erling Haaland stays here for the next five or six years, the way he’s going, then he will absolutely break it.
“We’ll have to wait and see though; we don’t know what’s going to happen with Man City and the charges, we don’t know what’s going to happen with Pep Guardiola and his time at the club.”
He added: “They are big questions, not only for the football club and the manager but also for the players that are at the club too. But, if Haaland stays in the Premier League then absolutely, he’ll break my record.”
Shearer went on to praise the 24-year-old’s forward qualities, and dubbed his goal-scoring prowess as “top class”. He continued: “Erling Haaland is the best striker in the world right now. In terms of his goals, I mean, he’s playing in the hardest league in the world too.
“I know he’s got great players around him, but he still has to finish his chances and the way he is, and how easy he’s making it look, which of course it’s not, then yes there’s no one better than him at putting the ball in the back of the net at the minute.
“Haaland’s finishing is top class, and you can see he really, really enjoys it too and I appreciate that. I get that because when you’re in that form, when you’ve got that belief and when you have a chance and you expect to put it away, it’s a great feeling.
“Standing on the pitch, standing in the tunnel looking at your competitors thinking ‘I’m already 1-0 up. I’ve already got the belief and the confidence.’ It’s an incredible feeling and I can see he’s got that. I can see it in him and it’s an amazing feeling.”