Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has suggested that Erling Haaland is the only player he's ever seen that comes close to the standards set by compatriot and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Silva is one of very few players to have lined up alongside the two attackers, with the 28-year-old playing with Haaland at club level, and with Ronaldo on the international stage.
Haaland's incredible start to the campaign has led to comparisons with the 37-year-old United forward, and while Silva accepts that the Norwegian ace has got a long way to go before reaching Ronaldo's level, he admitted that the prolific frontman is already on the right track.
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Ronaldo notched his 700th club goal in United's win over Everton last weekend, while Haaland has scored 20 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions so far this term.
"I was speaking with a few friends the other day and I said he is the only player who gets close to Cristiano in terms of knowing where the ball will land inside the box," Silva told Arab News, via the Sun.
"He’s got that smell of knowing where it lands and he’s so quick and strong, which is not easy for the defenders. Can he reach the same standards? Well, I’m playing with Erling so I hope so but the standards are so high.
"Cristiano has won five Ballon d’Ors, five Champions Leagues. You never know what will happen in the future. Erling’s still very young, still got a lot to do but the mentality is there, so yes."
Silva, who has featured in every game for Pep Guardiola's side so far this season, also suggested that Haaland possesses the type of fear factor which Ronaldo has carried for the majority of his illustrious career.
"We have always had good results over the last few years but it’s true that now we have a player up front that is so strong, big," he added.
"And the other teams fear a little bit of that. Personally, I feel if me and the other midfielders and defenders do our jobs properly then we have so much quality up front.
"Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Erling, they can decide the games, they can take care of the rest. But we have to do a proper job, control the rhythm of the game and then we know the weapons we have up front."
Haaland is set to start for City when they face off against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag's men host Newcastle, with United hoping to continue their winning run after victories over Everton and Omonia Nicosia.
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