Shaun Goater - Exclusive Interview with OLBG

Q&A With Manchester City Star Shaun Goater

Given United's current form, is this the most important derby in years? How important will it be for City to put United back in their box with a win on Sunday? Are you worried at all about United's form?

Manchester United over the past couple of years probably haven't been at the levels that they're expected of. But derbies being derbies, every player gets up for this game and more so for Manchester United nowadays if they're going through a tough time. They've been on a decent run of form the last four games and I'm sure the players want to prove something to the supporters. For them, they'll want to put on a great display, but both teams will be up for this game.

Erik Ten Hag is a manager I like, I watched his Ajax teams play some really good football, so I'm intrigued to see whether he can do it with this team because he has some quality players in there. It's always a big game because if you win a derby, it essentially gives you a confidence boost to win the next two or three games more often than not. It just gives you that extra lift because you know you've beaten a good team, so I'm looking forward to the game.

Erling Haaland will be key for City going into the derby, Have you seen anything like the start Haaland has made with City and in the Premier League? Why do you think he's found it so easy to score goals?

I don't think I've ever seen anybody have the sort of start and the form he's shown so far, it's really truly unbelievable. I'm sat in the stands shocked at what I'm seeing, and he deserves to be the main topic of conversation.

Normally the conversation about Manchester City is how much they're going to dominate play and creating chances. Manchester City generally walk into games debating on who's going to score such as Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez or somebody else.

But Haaland has created his own conversation, now it's a case of debating how many will he score in each game. In this team, the chances that are created just needed someone who was potent and clinical in front of goal. Haaland is both of those things and we've seen already that he's able to do it.

Erling Haaland / Image: sportingnews

His start has been absolutely phenomenal and in this Manchester City team you always felt if there was an out-and-out striker then they'd have a dream. And that's what Haaland is having, an absolute dream. He's the sort of striker who sees an opportunity a fraction of a second before others do and that's a unique quality. He can see the game building up, which player is on the ball and having an understanding with these players.

De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez and Grealish; he's starting to understand their qualities and when each of them are on the ball he understands where to be. It gives him that advantage ahead of defenders to what these players are going to do when they're on the ball. There was one particular game where Rodri, Gundogan and De Bruyne all set him up with a chance. I'm just sitting there thinking this just doesn't get better if you're a striker. The team recognises that there's a player there that looks for service and the rest of the team provide it.

For me it shows it's working well at the minute because not only is Haaland scoring, but one or two other players are chipping in as well. When they didn't have a recognised striker, these players were having to chip in with goals and with Manchester City we all thought if they had that striker to score these goals then it would take a lot of pressure off the other players. It obviously isn't just about Haaland scoring loads of goals, other players still need to contribute but they have been doing. This is why I think we have the perfect Manchester City right now because he's scoring, and other players are getting goals as well. 

Erling Haaland has 14 goals from nine games so far for Man City. If he carries on at this rate his numbers will put him among the greatest players of all time. By the end of his career, where do you think he will rank in terms of: Man City's list of all-time greats, Premier League's all-time greats. & Global all-time greats?

It's amazing that we're already having this conversation so early in Haaland's career and where he ranks right now. The only question mark is how his career goes with injuries.

When I think of someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, I don't recall him having any long-term injuries in his career. That's the same with Lionel Messi, these guys tend to play in nearly every game, every season because of their quality, goal contributions and performances.

The onus is on how Haaland takes care of himself and how he stays clear of injuries. If he's able to, then I don't see why he won't be amongst the best names to have played the game at the end of his career. He'll be up there in debates of; well, Haaland scored this amount, Pele scored this amount, Ronaldo scored this amount and Messi scored this many. For Haaland, touch wood, he doesn't have any injuries that keeps him out for long periods because he will be in the conversation with the all-time greats. 

As long as he's in a team that plays and creates the way this Manchester City team does, then I don't see any reason why he can't smash countless records. But he is somewhat reliant on the service he gets from his teammates. Players like Messi can drop and take the ball past two or three players before scoring, Mbappe is another player who can do that. Haaland I think can do it, but it isn't his main strength, his uniqueness is seeing the opportunity a fraction of a second before the defenders. He puts himself in the position to get that chance and more often than not he puts it away. So, if he continues to get this service throughout his career, then there's no reason why he can't only be Manchester City's greatest goal scorer, but up there with the best to have played the game.

How much more can he improve this season from what we've already seen?

It's crazy to think that he's scored the number of goals he's scored and that he can still get better. Listen every player can still improve aspects of their game, in terms of making him better I don't think it'll make his goal scoring abilities better, but I think it'll make him better in terms of his involvement in the game. That's just when he decides to come short and be involved in the build-up. But in all honesty, I get the impression that he's not really fussed about that. It looks like he isn't bothered about coming short and getting a touch on the ball. He's said it himself in the past, his dream in each game is to touch the ball five times and score five goals.

I was amazed by that because his attitude to the game is totally different to other players because most want to be involved in the game. A lot of players think having more touches and being involved in the game means you're playing well. But Haaland flipped that on its head and just changed the way that we might look at it.

He's not bothered about having 30 or 40 touches, like I said he will want five touches to get five goals. When you think about it, that would be a truly amazing game if he managed to do that in a game. It tells me a lot about him and his character, he wants to be seen as a finisher and he's determined to be amongst the greats in that regard. He's already in the history books in terms of his Champions League goals, he's had a better start to life in that competition than all of the greats in football. So, he's already got one box ticked in terms of creating history.

What advice would you give Haaland facing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez on Sunday? How would you handle facing the Man Utd pair?

What I would say first of all is Raphael Varane is a world class defender. He's absolutely quality in my opinion and in terms of being a football fan I always look forward to seeing the best players playing up against each other.

Raphael Varane / Image: shutterstock

The one thing that I know Varane will be weary of is Haaland's pace because that's part of his uniqueness.

His first five yards are crazy how quick he accelerates away from people. If you were to develop a top striker in the Premier League to deal with all situations, and this may sound funny, but you think of somebody like Peter Crouch. Just because in the air he'll win eight out of ten balls in the air being as tall as his is and Haaland isn't that far off Crouch's height. But then if you're building this player, you'd want him to have the pace of someone like Kyle Walker. All of a sudden you have a whole different animal.

There won't be many balls that Haaland doesn't win, I know Manchester City don't throw the ball into the box, but the option is there to now. But putting that aside, balls that are four or five yards away are dangerous because he's so quick off the mark. The best of defenders will find it very tough to deal with it because you need to look where the ball is and when that ball will be delivered. That fraction of a second where the defender takes his eye off you is when you can make that movement.

Haaland's timing of this movement is special which is why he scored so many goals.

I admire Varane's quality, and I think he's a special player because of what he's done in his career. But I think Haaland's natural pace will be a threat to any defender which is why I think he'll trouble Varane. He'll have opportunities if balls are played in behind, maybe when Manchester United step up those five or 10 yards too high. Those sort of balls of crosses will cause the centre-backs problems and Haaland has that natural ability to get of the end of them. It'll be difficult for those two to keep him out and it'll be about restricting his chances, but the form Haaland is in even a quarter of a chance he'll stick away. 

From an opposition point of view, is there any way to stop Haaland? How would you go about defending against him?

If I want to stop Haaland then I'm probably not going to push up too high because his pace is electric. If he's got a bit of space to run on to where the goalkeeper can't come, then he's probably quick enough to get there.

If Manchester City decide to throw the ball in the air and you're deep as a defence, then Haaland is a big man, so you'd have to compete in the air physically as well. I haven't seen enough of him in the air to say he's an exceptional header of the ball, but he doesn't need to be because of how Manchester City play and how prolific he is as a finisher.

Image: Maciej Rogowski Photo/shutterstock

A team would have to be deep, but that could play into Manchester City's hands because other players would come alive when trying to find space in tight areas. There are so many other players who can affect the game, so stopping Haaland is one thing but then you have a lot of others to deal with.

How and why does a player get so good and are there any players you played with/ against who you felt were playing a different game/ on a different planet?

In my time at Manchester City, we were always playing against somebody that seemed to be on another level. The two teams that stood out to me where Manchester United and Arsenal.

In terms of the forwards players Thierry Henry would be the main one and I was always excited to play against him. When I say play against him, I knew I wasn't facing him, but I was excited to know that I got to be on the pitch and watch this machine in action. He just saw the game so much easier; scenarios would occur, and he'd see it was about to happen before anyone else did. It was a joy watching him and I know for a fact it was always a difficult time for our defenders to try and cope with him. He's made a lot of the best defenders in the world look ordinary at times in his career.

In terms of players, I directly came up against, then I would have to say Jaap Stam. He was a quality defender, he was aggressive, he was quick and so intelligent in the way he read the game. He was always a difficult player to play against and at the time he was the best centre-back in the world for me.

Another one would be Rio Ferdinand because he was another intelligent player, and he had such a calmness on the ball. He was more of a thinking player, so he'd always be in the right position. Another one for different reasons was Martin Keown in terms of players who I found it difficult playing against. He was more of a rash type of player; the ball wouldn't be near me and he'd be pulling and scratching me. So, there's different reasons in each of those players, but in terms of making the game look easy I would have to say Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry looked like they were playing a different game.

When I think of some of the Manchester United players in that time, there was Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and David Beckham. Beckham especially, when we played against him the thought was to get tight to stop him having space because we all knew he wasn't a player who went running past you. But then Beckham would just start going more deep then hit these 50 yards passes which were killing us. At the time fullbacks didn't push up high like teams play now, so Beckham would drop and get the ball off Neville before hitting these 50/60 yard passes straight into the forward players. It then became a case of 'well how do we stop him doing that now', so it was those type of players that were on another level. These players have solutions to problems quicker than most and that's what separates them from the rest.

Which players can you see benefitting most from Haaland's addition to the team?

I think it's benefitting all of the wide players for definite. And it's easy to see and point out that it's helping Kevin De Bruyne because he loves assisting more than scoring. If you're that type of player, then you love having someone who wants that type of service.

If De Bruyne has enough time on the ball and there's space in behind, although sometimes he doesn't even need that, then if he sees the run the ball is right on the money more often than not. So, I think it's a benefit for De Bruyne and all the wide players having that focal target. Haaland could be getting an assist from so many players across the pitch, so that's why he's been such a value to this Manchester City team.

Long may it continue because to his credit the conversation is always 'Is Haaland going to score?'

When you score goals, it gives you the motivation to go into the next game and get another. I know every time he steps on the pitch, he wants that satisfaction of scoring in the game. In this team and in this form, it's very possible for him to score in every game that he plays which seems crazy to say.

It's a big statement but he's the right player in the right team.

Ahead of the Manchester derby, how do you think he compares to Ronaldo? What does he have to do to reach such levels?

Cristiano Ronaldo is someone who has done it for years and showed a level of consistency season after season. He's been a machine and my early watching of Haaland is that he likes to be in this conversation and talked about in the same bracket come the end of his time.

Haaland has scored this many, Ronaldo has scored this many, who won more trophies in these seasons; these will be the conversations. But for Haaland it's about consistency, Ronaldo has nothing to prove with what he's done constantly churning out goals.

Image: Christian Bertrand/shutterstock

I remember looking sometimes when he wasn't playing in England anymore and thinking how has he scored that many goals. I was thinking if they were counting training session goals, it's frightening the number of goals he has in his career. But as I've said, Haaland in this team is very capable of those numbers and what I see of him he seems like a player to wants to achieve the same goals if not better what Ronaldo has done. All I would say is watch this space.

Do you think Ronaldo has anything to offer United still?

A goal scorer is a goal scorer, but it's the players around him who will be key to his productivity. Christian Eriksen is key, and Bruno Fernandes is key to supplying those chances.

They're the players who can create the opportunities for Ronaldo, other players just haven't been able to create anything. If Ronaldo gets chances, then he does what we all know Ronaldo does, he will score goals. Pace wise it's still there to a certain extent, it's not frightening like it was when he was younger, but it's still good enough to effect and hurt teams. For me, I think the key for Manchester United is the creative players who can provide these chances for someone like Ronaldo. This is where Manchester United are so different to Manchester City, City can have five players who are able to create chances for the forward players and also score goals themselves.

United are in good form, but they rely on one or two players who are going to provide those chances for the forwards, but then are other players chipping in with goals. That's the balance that they need to get and reach at some point. But they always seem to come alive in a Manchester derby, for a neutral it's always a great game because of the world class players on show.

City fans already love Haaland, how will scoring in a Manchester derby win make change that?

I don't know if it makes a difference because they already love him. His impact and goal scoring abilities already are phenomenal, so I think scoring in a derby win would just be the cherry on the cake. If you're a cake fan and you just want that little bit extra, then that's what it will feel like to Manchester City supporters. Manchester United fans will be thinking they want to win the game or maybe take a draw and stop Haaland from scoring against them. They'll think it looks like progress from their point of view and take it as a good result stopping Haaland.

Manchester City fans will obviously want the team to batter Manchester United, but they'll be hoping Haaland scores a couple. Just because it's a sense of you can't stop us for Manchester City fans, showing that we can attract the best players in the world. It's set up to be a good game, you've got a world class defender in Raphael Varane up against a world class striker already in Erling Haaland. He'll be determined to prove to the world that he's one of the best strikers out there right now. 

You scored in a win against Man Utd in 02/03, how did that feel and change your relationship with City fans and their attitude/ love for you?

Well, it's weird because it came towards the end of my last season at the club. I had scored nearly 100 goals before that, so scoring in the Manchester derby was the icing on the cake. But I already had a great relationship with the supporters because I had scored loads of goals before that game. It'll be the same with Haaland, he's scored goals for the club already and there will just be a sense of wanting him to score in this game just to rub it in.

Whenever the conversation comes up between the two sets of fans there's always a lot of banter between them, but Manchester City fans would just love to see him score in this game. They would love and adore him more. Manchester United fans have been making light-hearted jokes about Haaland on social media from what I've seen. They're unhappy that their rivals have signed someone who could score in every game. I like the passion of the fans in these games, Manchester United used to have all the world class players scoring goals in these games and now it's Manchester City who have those types of players. One thing for sure is, it'll be interesting to see how the game unfolds.

What have you made of Julian Alvarez's start with City? Antonio Cassano says he's more talented than Haaland! Can you see what has Cassano making such a claim?  Can you see Pep playing him and Haaland together consistently? Would you like to see that?

I can see them playing together, but maybe not that often. I don't think Haaland will be bothered that there's a claim that Alvarez is a more all-round talent.

Image: Fede Peretti/Shutterstock

His dream is to score five goals from five touches, so he won't be too bothered. Haaland will be more concerned at playing more minutes and scoring as many goals as possible. Alvarez's game is more tenacious, being great in and out of possession. I remember that quote Pep Guardiola used about Gabriel Jesus saying he was the best defensive striker. Alvarez reminds me of that quality and it's a great quality to have when your team is out of possession. He's also Argentine and Argentinians are quality players.

We've seen in patches what he can do, so I know the more minutes he gets, the more he'll start to flourish, and Manchester City fans will see we've got a real diamond. I love what I've seen with him so far. He is probably a more all-round player because he can come short, get involved in play in linking with the midfield. He can play out wide as well as through the middle. This is the great thing with Pep Guardiola, he wants players who can play multiple positions. Haaland is probably very happy to play in the number 9 and nowhere else, whereas Alvarez is happy to play anywhere on the pitch in those forward areas. Haaland probably isn't interested in playing out wide, if he was asked to do a job, he'd probably do it but find himself in the box as much as possible.  

What does Julian Alvarez have to do to get more minutes for City?

I think he just has to keep doing what he's doing. He's still been impressive when he has played, but I don't think anyone would have thought Haaland would hit the ground running to this extent.

With that said, it's just one of those where you just have to keep working hard and the chance will come to you. No one would have thought that Haaland would have 14 goals from nine games at this point in his Manchester City career. It's almost as in Pep Guardiola feels like he can't bring him out even to give him a rest when he's in this vein of form. I think that is probably why Alvarez has had less minutes than he may have got. But it's a long season, there's plenty of competitions so Alvarez will get minutes.

I see already that he's a quality player and a perfect fit to this Manchester City squad. When Alvarez, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva are all playing, then you can see there's a different kind of energy. We're electrical with those three, they're all energetic and lively which is fun to watch as a supporter.

Alvarez's time will come, he's just got to do what he's been doing, and he'll get his chance. The quality doesn't drop when he comes onto the pitch, so that's why he's a perfect fit for this squad. I'm sure he'll get plenty of games this season.

Lot of debate about Trent Alexander-Arnold today, but Kyle Walker just keeps plugging along. Neymar says he's the best he's faced. Is Kyle underrated inside English football? How is he regarded inside Man City? Would you regard him in Kompany's class?

I think Kyle Walker can be included in the world class level.

He starts most if not every game, Pep Guardiola knows he can rely on him.

Kyle Walker / Image: Shutterstock

He's one of those players where you ever see an opposition player out-running him or getting the better of him. He's been a very consistent player since he joined the club.

For me, the belief a manager has in you comes from the amount you play and like I said when Kyle Walker is fit and available, he typically plays.

It shows you that Pep believes in him and his quality in this team. From Kyle Walker's point of view, the only time he's had difficulty is through himself. It's never been another player taking him to town or he's struggled up against an opponent, I think it's been down to him. It could be a lack of concentration in the odd game, but when he goes from a 9/10 to a 7/10 it's because of himself, not because a winger beats him. He's set his own standards and I think that at the club it's down to what the manager thinks which is quite high. If you were to ask the Manchester City fans about their all-time teams, then I think Walker is in 70% of the supporters’ teams which speaks volumes to me.