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Haaland V Nunez: A golden boot battle in the making

By James Fudge

Dortmund's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland (L) celebrates scoring his team's third goal to lead 3:2 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Bochum in Dortmund, western Germany on April 30, 2022. - DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Dortmund's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland (L) celebrates scoring his team's third goal to lead 3:2 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Bochum in Dortmund, western Germany on April 30, 2022. - DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Rivalries make football that little more exciting, whether it be the players, clubs or managers, we all love to see that added dimension to an already thrilling fixture.

We were treated to Messi versus Ronaldo in the Classico of the noughties but now it could be time for a new personal competition as two new strikers battle it out for multiple honours in the English game, and potentially looking to add the Golden Boot to their trophy haul. Move along Harry Kane, Mohammed Salah and Jamie Vardy, there are two new competitors in town.

Manchester City made a statement this summer by signing Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund while title rivals have moved quickly to replace the departing Sadio Mane by completing the transfer for Darwin Nunez.

Much has been made of the difference in fees and their standout wages but that is just a drop in the ocean should they deliver on the elusive trophy targets.

Since both players have signed for their respective clubs’ many pundits have already pitted the two new arrivals against each other, heightening the growing rivalry between the two clubs in the process, so why don’t we look at the real factors that could determine the best number nine.

Finishing

Goals, goals, goals will be the biggest judgement for the two players as that is the currency they deal in. The chances will certainly be plentiful for both players with the two benefitting from a greater percentage of shots per game than their previous clubs.

Surely, both licking their lips at the prospect of improving their impress goals per game ratios, with 0.74 for Haaland and Nunez slightly lesser.

City and Liverpool had 18.7 and 19.1 shots per game last season while Haaland and Nunez’s teams averaged 13.8 and 15.3 shots per game in their seasons respectively. Whether that is down to opponents poorer defending or a greater gulf in difference between attacking teammates, both players will benefit from the moves.

Evidence judged in the last 12 months shows no real difference between the qualities with the Uruguayan demonstrating a level-up in the last year. His heading ability has increased while the finishing with both feet has gone to a new level; a level that only Robert Lewandowski (35), Kylian Mbappé (28), Karim Benzema (27) and Ciro Immobile (27) surpassed in the league goal statistics.

He has shown deadly penalty-box instincts, magnificent movement and a great power since his move to Portugal, with last year being a break out year after netting 34 goals in 41 games, including six in ten Champions League appearances.

The one difference is that Erling Haaland has shown these qualities throughout his career, bullying defences in Norway, Austria and recently Germany. The player seems a born finisher, using his pace and power to get ahead of the final line of defence.

His goal against Sweden in the Nations League emphasised that his finishing is next level, scoring from a tight angle after being provoked by his opponent.

Haaland is a certain winner despite the improvements from the opposition.