Michail Antonio stunned by how rapid £51 Man City star was when he faced him

Redaction Simon Brett with Srinivas Sadhanand
Published on 2024-02-06 14:00:00

West Ham United’s Michail Antonio has been impressed by Erling Haaland’s speed, stating that the Manchester City striker showcased “unbelievable” pace when they faced off last season.

Haaland, who rose to fame at RB Salzburg, is known for his exceptional speed, a rare asset for a player of his height. Typically, tall players, like Haaland, are some of the slowest on the team, but his pace has made him a lethal weapon, especially in beating opposition defenses.

During West Ham’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City in their Premier League opener last season, Antonio witnessed Haaland’s speed firsthand.

The striker scored his second goal of the game, leaving Antonio in awe of his pace. Haaland’s ability to sprint past backlines, was evident, especially at Borussia Dortmund, where he would execute blistering counter-attacking moves.

Despite Haaland’s pace, Antonio pointed out that the striker’s game isn’t completely reliant on speed, which is a positive aspect for his future career.

“It was quite crazy because the game was quite slow, nothing was really happening and then bang! Ball straight through, [Erling] Haaland with unbelievable pace managed to knock it around the ‘keeper and get it in and from there, you saw the gel, you saw the partnership that they had grown with each other”, he told Sky Sports.

Many speed-focused strikers, such as Michael Owen, have seen their careers impacted due to slowing down over time. However, players like Alan Shearer and Harry Kane, who focused less on speed and more on movement and finishing, were able to sustain their impact for longer periods.

While Haaland may be quicker than most strikers, his well-rounded skill set, movement, and finishing should ensure that even if he loses his pace in the future, he will remain a force to be reckoned with. Nevertheless, his searing pace will always make him a formidable presence on the pitch.

In conclusion, Antonio’s praise of Haaland’s speed underscores the striker’s extraordinary abilities, which set him apart from many others in the game. Haaland’s speed, combined with his other attributes, make him a formidable force in the soccer world.

Read Original article on Manchester City News