"The guy’s a machine" - Arsenal legend says he would've loved to have played alongside Erling Haaland
Former Arsenal player Cesc Fabregas has hailed Manchester City forward Erling Haaland. The Spaniard paid tribute to the Norwegian's consistency, calling him "a machine".
Fabregas said on Planet Premier League that defenders can't get complacent against Erling Haaland.
"Especially in the form that he [Erling Haaland] is in now, I would never get too complacent, you know, if I was a central defender or an Arsenal player or any player in any other team when we play against Haaland because the guy’s a machine," Fabregas said.
During his playing career, Fabregas played with forwards such as Lionel Messi, Didier Drogba, and Robin van Persie. However, he admits that he regrets not playing with somebody like Erling Haaland.
"I really like him. I wish I played with a striker of his calibre and yeah, we need to always be on our toes to stop him," said Fabregas.
Cesc Fabregas spent a large part of his career in the Premier League, first with Arsenal and later with Chelsea. He joined the Gunners from Barcelona in 2003 under Arsene Wenger before moving back to his boyhood club in 2011.
He returned to the Premier League with Chelsea in 2014 where he won the Premier League title twice. He then moved to Monaco before retiring at Serie B side Como.
He joined the Italian side's coaching staff, earlier managing the U19s before taking over the reins at the B side. The former Arsenal midfielder took over as the first-team coach this season after Como achieved promotion to Serie A.
"Erling Haaland can make a difference at any point" - Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas
The Como manager Fabregas also spoke about how the Manchester City forward keeps defenses on their toes.
"I think when you are talking about this type of players like Haaland, you cannot really say anything like that because he will just put you to shame in a way. You know, he will make it happen. He will break the record - now he didn't score, but he will score three," he said.
Fabregas called the 24-year-old "too good" and said that he can make a difference at any point in any game.
"He's too special and too good. And he plays in such a good team all around the pitch that there is always a gap or a way for him to make a difference at any point in any game," he added.
Erling Haaland has already scored a record nine goals in just four Premier League matches so far this season. He, along with his Manchester City teammates, will take on Inter Milan at home in their first UEFA Champions League match of the campaign on September 18. They will then host Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal at home on Sunday, September 22.