Former England striker Michael Owen thinks Manchester City’s new recruit Erling Haaland will have his task cut out in the English Premier League.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker comes with a reputation of scoring goals at will but Owen thinks the Norwegian will have to adapt to City’s style of playing to script a success story. “My big question so far, when I look into his career, is that Haaland has scored a lot of goals over the top, a lot of one-versus-one with the goalkeeper or from headers off crosses.

“He’s very good in the air. But I don’t think Man City cross that many balls into the box or chip balls over the top for Haaland to run on to. “Most teams play a very deep line against Man City. So Haaland will have to adapt his style of play,” Owen said.

“From the league’s point of view, it’s a huge thing that Haaland has decided to play in the Premier League. It’s an exciting signing because he has scored wherever he has played. But it’s not going to be smooth sailing as it might appear. “He will have to change his game to score the number of goals he has scored in the past,” he added.

Haaland failed to score against Liverpool in the Community Shield final last Saturday. The 2022-23 Premier League season begins on Friday and defending champions Man City start on Sunday with an away trip to West Ham. n

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