Erling Haaland has been overlooked in Troy Deeney’s list of the top 10 Premier League strikers, with the former Watford captain insisting the Manchester City man still has a long way to go. Deeney, speaking on talkSPORT, ranked Thierry Henry first, followed by Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, while leaving Haaland out despite his 112 goals and three Golden Boots in four seasons. “He is a freak… I also think there’s still a long way to go,” Deeney said. “A lot of it for me is about feeling as well, what players made you feel when you watched them.”
Deeney placed Andy Cole fourth, then in no particular order listed Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez, Robbie Fowler and Jermain Defoe — but not Haaland. The Norwegian broke the single-season scoring record with 36 goals in his debut campaign and has added 27, 22 and 27 in subsequent years, alongside eight hat-tricks. Only Aguero, Fowler and Shearer have more. Yet Deeney argued that Haaland’s impact depended on City’s dominance. “The seasons he’s been at City, they have been unbelievable anyway and he’s been an additional piece. It’ll be interesting now they’re not favourites to win it. Can he carry the team a little bit?”
“Troy Deeney snubs Haaland from top 10 Premier League strikers; Arsenal star hailed second best in world.”
While Haaland was dismissed from the all-time list, an Arsenal star has received the opposite treatment. The Spaniard, who played a huge part in the Gunners’ Premier League title win, has been hailed as the second best player in the world, behind the Ballon d’Or winner. The recognition places him among the elite, a stark contrast to the snub handed to Haaland.
Deeney did not name a 10th striker, leaving Haaland out altogether. The City forward will now have the chance to prove his doubters wrong as the new season approaches.