Paulo Wanchope: Haaland can help City win Champions League

Paulo Wanchope spent four seasons with Manchester City where he played in the same side as Alfie Haaland, dad of the prolific Erling, now tearing it up at the Etihad.

The Costa Rican spoke exclusively to Ladbrokes: Fanzone about his memories of Alfie and told us his thoughts on what Erling brings to City.

Haaland a chip off the old block

Erling Haaland just gives Manchester City that something extra. Now they have the option to put the ball in the box and in the air, something they’ve not really been able to do with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in the past. If Erling stays fit, with the quality he has around him, he’ll comfortably manage to score more than 30 goals, for sure.

Erling Haaland’s dad, Alfie, was the ultimate professional. He possessed this crazy desire to compete, and you can already see Erling is the same on that front. You can see the shape of his body and his physical presence, these are things I believe he has learned and taken from his dad. Of course, they play in different positions, but the notable similarity for me is that desire to compete for every ball.”

I can remember Alfie having a baby back when I joined Man City, but even when I left the club, Erling was still very small. It’s just nice, you know? It’s nice to see him now, playing at Manchester City. It’s crazy, because we saw him in this tiny kit when he was a baby, and now he’s playing for the first team and doing such a great job.

I’ve not spoken to Alfie since Erling joined. I’ve lost contact with him over the years, but of course I’m so happy for him and his family. I’m just enjoying watching Erling play such a key role for City today.

Alfie was such a nice guy to be around in the dressing room; he was so calm, a great competitor who always gave a minimum of 100%. He was always trying to help his team-mates, and you can tell how respected he was because the club decided to make him captain for a year or so.

I played in that now-famous game where Roy Keane got a red card for his challenge on Alfie. I saw the challenge. At first I didn’t know anything about the history between those two players; afterwards I found out! It was something which was sad to see, but it’s one of those things that happens in football. I don’t know whether they’ve forgotten about that incident or whether they still have a problem with each other.

Haaland gives City ‘that edge’ to go and win Champions League

Manchester City being favourites for the Champions League sounds right to me. They’ve been improving every year in that competition, they’ve reached a final in the last two years and I believe they’re experienced enough now to go all the way and win it.

It’s not easy, it’s a great tournament with so many great clubs capable of winning it, but they now have someone in Erling who will give them that edge. Erling is a big, strong guy, with a great record in this competition. City haven’t had this kind of player before. He’s someone they’ve needed, particularly in this competition. They’ve got a great chance this year, to go on and win it.