Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappé? Manchester City favourite Pablo Zabaleta isn’t getting involved in that debate.
He’s been speaking to AS ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League this evening.
Manchester City take on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu this evening in a game that will see two of Europe’s top strikers go head-to-head.
While Harry Kane leads the European Golden Boot race with 17 goals, Mbappé and Haaland are hot on his heels. The Real Madrid striker has 16 goals to his name, while Haaland has 15 for Manchester City.
Whoever comes out on top, may be key to who wins the big Champions League clash. The pair are very different forwards, and Zabaleta won’t be drawn on comparing them.
“That question really got me. I can’t answer that,” he said when asked who is ‘more decisive’.
“They’re both phenomenal goalscorers of a gigantic scale. What I do see is that Mbappé is more isolated at Real Madrid in attack than the Norwegian is at City, who has more alternatives and options around him capable of complementing him. Real Madrid depends more on Mbappé than City does on Haaland.”
Manchester City legend a big fan of Doku
The former defender is, however, happy to answer the question on Jeremy Doku. The Belgian has been a key player for Manchester City this season.
He’s on three goals and six assists in 21 games to date, meaning he’s well on course to better the eight goals and nine assists in 41 games he managed last season.
More importantly, he’s been crucial in big games against the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool. Zabaleta was asked if he’s now at the level of Vinicius Junior and believes the Manchester City winger is on track for that.
“He’s reaching that level and following the same path,” he added.
“He struggled with his final decision-making, and he’s improving that. He’s a great dribbler, incredibly fast, and very skilful, but he lacked that final pause needed to make the right decision when he gets to the penalty area, and he’s making great progress.”
