Latest news with #Haaland
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'I've coached Benjamin Sesko and Erling Haaland - one was a much better all-round player'
Manchester United are chasing Red Bull Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who was once labelled a 'better player' than Erling Haaland by a former coach Benjamin Sesko was once hailed as a better player than Manchester City's Erling Haaland by a coach who has worked with both stars. Manchester United's search for a new striker looks to have led them to Red Bull Leipzig's star forward, Sesko, although they haven't ruled out a move for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. Sesko, 22, boasts an impressive record of 39 goals in 87 appearances for Leipzig and has caught the eye of several top-flight English clubs. United are now poised to make their move for the much-admired striker, but face a battle for his signature with Newcastle. Former Red Bull Salzburg coach Rene Aufhauser once shared his belief that Sesko could even surpass Haaland in terms of potential. Haaland, now 25, had a stint at Salzburg from 2019 to 2020, while Sesko played for the Austrian side between 2020-2023. "Benjamin is maybe the better football player, better to play with the team, technically maybe better at the same age," Rene Aufhauser said to The Mail in 2022, when Sesko was just 19. "His natural movements are so good, he's 6ft 4in tall, fast and has very, very good physical ability. "He's so smooth with the ball, very good technique, good finishing and he jumps so high. Very, very, good with the head. It's unbelievable. "Erling [Haaland] was mentally a monster and (mentally) better at the same age," Aufhauser continued. "This is the last five, 10 per cent that Benji has to get." While Sesko is younger, it's true that by 22 - the Slovenian's current age - Haaland had already scored his big-money move to City, where he won the Premier League in his maiden season with the Citizens. He has consistently been the league's most feared frontman since teaming up with Pep Guardiola, winning two top-flight titles and the Champions League. While Sesko remains some way off Haaland's numbers in recent years, he still contributed to 18 goals for Leipzig last season as the club faltered in the Bundesliga, ultimately failing to qualify for the Champions League, reports the Manchester Evening News. Newcastle are also hot on the trail of Sesko, as they seek a replacement for Alexander Isak should he depart amidst strong links to Liverpool. Sesko actually turned down United three years ago in favour of a move to Leipzig but is now eager to secure a high-profile transfer this summer. The Slovenian is contracted to Leipzig until 2029, but his agent, Elvis Basanovic, has kept the lines of communication open since United's initial approach and even visited their Carrington training complex. So, if United do make a play for Sesko, does he have what it takes to succeed in the Premier League? Aufhauser felt that the three-time Slovenian Youth Footballer of the Year still had some way to go before he could be considered the complete package. "He needs experience at this level and also maybe to learn to handle and deal with disappointment," he said in 2022. "Sometimes he wants to be perfect. He has to stay cool, stay calm and to wait for his next chance. This is maybe the biggest thing he has to learn." Fast forward three years, armed with three Austrian Bundesliga titles and a goalscoring tally that would make many of Europe's top strikers envious, it seems Sesko might just be poised to take the leap to United – potentially challenging Haaland as one of England's most fearsome forwards.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd could be signing £60m striker who team-mates claim is better than Erling Haaland
Manchester United are keen to sign a new centre forward this summer and currently Benjamin Sesko - a man some believe is better than Erling Haaland - in their crosshairs Signing a player compared to Erling Haaland is one thing - but signing one many believe is better? Now that's a mouthwatering prospect. For Manchester United, that prospect may become reality if they land Benjamin Sesko this summer. The RB Leipzig striker, who is being linked with a blockbuster £60million move to Old Trafford, had the unenviable task of filling Haaland's shoes at Red Bull Salzburg. In just half a season in Austria, a teenage Haaland smashed 28 goals in 22 games before sealing a career-launching switch to Borussia Dortmund - turning down United in the process. A year later, Sesko arrived at Salzburg with the same towering frame, explosive playing style, and sky-high expectations. The comparisons to Haaland were inevitable. And while he wasn't quite as ruthless in front of goal, Sesko made just as big an impression - and, in the eyes of some, an even bigger one. "Such comparisons motivate me and give me energy," the Slovenian said in 2021. "They do not represent pressure. I will listen and learn so I can be even better than he is. "My team-mates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed. Most of them even tell me that I'm better than him!" Sesko's rise hasn't been as meteoric as Haaland's, but if he secures a Premier League move this summer, he'll have done so at the same age his Norwegian counterpart made the leap. Arsenal looked set to sign the 22-year-old earlier in the window, but ultimately pivoted to Viktor Gyokeres. Liverpool and Chelsea have also shown interest in Sesko, but after signing Hugo Ekitike and Liam Delap respectively, both clubs now look out of the running. This has given United something of a free run at the striker, but a deal is far from guaranteed. The Red Devils have already splashed £133m on attacking reinforcements, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo - and with concerns about the club's financial situation lingering, any further moves must be approached with caution. Then there's the matter of convincing Sesko himself. Without Champions League football on offer, United are at a disadvantage against several domestic and European rivals. And with the striker tied to RB Leipzig until 2029, neither he nor the club are under pressure to make a decision quickly. United will also be hoping Sesko, who scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, has had a change of heart since turning down a move to Old Trafford in 2023, opting instead for RB Leipzig - a decision he later attributed to concerns over United's style of play. "The thing is, I wasn't really involved in these kinds of conversations [about which club I would sign for]. But I think it was better to come [to RB Leipzig]," Sesko admitted in 2024. "It was very important for me to go to a place that plays a similar style of football. I already knew what I had to do and didn't have to go through a whole learning process again." Now, with a new manager, a fresh attacking core, and a point to prove, United are hoping the timing - and the project - feel different this time around. If they can convince Sesko that Old Trafford is where he can become not just the next Haaland, but the first Sesko, it could mark the beginning of a new era - one built not just on reputation or comparisons, but on potential fully realised in red.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Eddie Howe has same Alexander Isak problem that saw star dubbed 'dressing room burden'
After Alexander Isak made it clear he is open to leaving Newcastle, Eddie Howe will be keen to avoid the saga becoming a major distraction ahead of the new season The Alexander Isak saga has left Newcastle United with a similar problem to the one Borussia Dortmund faced before Erling Haaland's departure to Manchester City. Isak has told the Magpies he wants to explore a move away from Tyneside after speculation surrounding his future ratcheted up over the last week. Head coach Eddie Howe sent the Swede home from Newcastle's friendly at Celtic"due to the speculation around him." Later in the week, it was announced he would not be part of United's pre-season tour to Asia, with a minor thigh issue being cited as the reason for his absence On the same day, it emerged that Isak had requested to look at options away from St James' Park, with Liverpool interested in signing the 25-year-old despite the arrival of Hugo Ekitike for an initial £69million. Liverpool may have to pay up to £150m to prise Isak away from Newcastle, who are under no pressure to sell their star striker. However, despite his undoubted quality, Isak's continued presence at the club may prove to be an unwanted distraction as the Magpies prepare for the new season. It's a similar scenario to the one faced by Dortmund as speculation over Haaland's future raged in 2022. After scoring a remarkable 86 goals in 89 games following his move from RB Salzburg, Haaland was on the radar of a host of clubs, including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona before he eventually joined City in a deal worth £85.5million. While Haaland's departure left a huge hole at Dortmund, there was an element of relief when he left, with sporting director Sebastian Kehl admitting the speculation around Haaland's future had become a burden. After Haaland's exit, he told Bild: "In the end, the Haaland issue became a burden in the locker room. As much as we always loved Haaland and he was successful with us, in the end, he became a burden on the dressing room, the club and the whole environment. "He had become the subject of every conversation. Outside the club, almost everything was exclusively focused on him. In the end, the timing of the transfer was right for both parties. And we are all happy for Erling that he continues to be so successful." Howe will not want that situation to be replicated at Newcastle, although he has refused to put a timescale on a decision over Isak's future. Speaking in Singapore, Howe admitted the club have a "decision to make." "I wouldn't put a timescale on it. I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that," he said. "But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it's up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That's what we're trying to do, regardless of Alex's situation. "But I think there's a wider picture here. There's a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board."
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Erling Haaland's girlfriend Isabel Haugseng treated to ultra-rare £330,000 handbag as couple enjoy break in Rome
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ERLING HAALAND treated his stunning girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen to an incredible £330,000 handbag. The Manchester City star has been relaxing with his partner in Italy over the last few weeks and they recently enjoyed a trip to Rome. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Erling Haaland has been holidaying with his girlfriend Credit: INSTAGRAM @isabellaa 6 Isabel clutched a £330,000 handbag Credit: INSTAGRAM @isabellaa 6 It is an ultra-rare piece that can only be purchased at auction Credit: INSTAGRAM @isabellaa 6 The bag is a Hermes Birkin 25 Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile. Isabel, 21, has taken to Instagram to share snaps from their trip and the brunette beauty wowed in a long orange dress in her latest post. But her designer handbag got the attention of followers as she clutched the luxurious diamond encrusted holdall. The Daily Mail report that it is an ultra-rare Hermes Birkin 25 Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile. They claim that it is worth an eye-watering £330,000. And the handbag can only be purchased at auction from authentic Hermes reseller Madison Avenue Couture. Isabel is all smiles in the photos posted on social media as she stands next to Haaland, 25, and his brother Astor and his girlfriend. The Norwegian stunner is also seen giggling on a step and posing while looking out over a picturesque lake. Isabel is a footballer herself and is said to have met Haaland while they were both in the youth academy of club Bryne. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN The couple have one child, who was born back in December. Becoming parents has not slowed down their jet-setting lifestyle and they also visited Ibiza earlier this summer. Man City star Erling Haaland's girlfriend Isabel frolics in water in a bikini as pair relax on holiday Their travels have helped Isabel grow in popularity on Instagram after only launching her account in November. She now boasts a whopping 108,000 followers. Haaland is due back on the pitch on August 9 when City face Palmero in a pre-season friendly. The club's Premier League campaign kicks-off the following weekend against Wolves. 6 Isabel has 108,000 followers on Instagram Credit: INSTAGRAM @isabellaa
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
SuperCoach EPL explained: Pick a £100m squad, set your formation, chase glory in leagues and the Cup
So you reckon you know football? Time to prove it. SuperCoach EPL is now live for the 2025-26 Premier League season, offering a fresh spin on fantasy football with two ways to play. Classic – £100 million salary cap to build your 15-player squad – Trade throughout the season to improve your team – Compete for league glory and SuperCoach Cup success Draft – One player per manager. Once someone picks Haaland, he's gone! – Perfect for mates leagues and live Draft nights – Customise your league set up (teams, squad size, start date) How SuperCoach EPL Classic Works Step 1: Pick your squad (£100 million cap). Choose: 2 Goalkeepers 5 Defenders 5 Midfielders 3 Forwards Choose your Starting 11 and one of 9 formations (e.g. 4-4-2, 3-5-2). Step 2: Score points from real-life performances Only your Starting 11 scores (unless a player doesn't play at all then an Auto-Emergency steps in). Your bench won't save you from flops. 0s still count if they play. Step 3: Captain, Vice-Captain and Trades Captain's score = double. Vice-Captain acts as a backup if the Captain doesn't play. Rolling lockout means you can change players right up to their game start. You get 44 trades for the season. Use them wisely. Step 4: How scoring works It's more than just goals and assists. E very stat counts. Points are awarded for goals, assists, key passes, tackles, blocks, saves, clean sheets, minutes played and more. Lose points for own goals, yellow/red cards, missed penalties and dispossessions. The full scoring breakdown is available in-game (Help > Help & Game Info Topics > Point Scoring). Step 5: Compete and win Battle it out in public and private leagues, head-to-head style. From Game Week 13 the SuperCoach Cup begins. It's a knockout format; one loss and you're gone. Play for the chance to win: $2000 – Classic winner $500 – Classic runner-up $500 – SC EPL Cup winner SuperCoach EPL Draft: How it works Scoring in Draft is the same as Classic. But once a player is drafted, only one manager owns them. That means unique teams, tactical trades and no overlap. Create or join a league with mates, or set up your own as a Commissioner to customise team count, squad size and season start time. Host a live Draft night for the ultimate fantasy footy experience. Tips for first-timers Rolling lockout = more control (swap players up to individual game kick-offs). Don't waste trades early. Form and injuries can flip fast. Look beyond big names. Budget players can deliver big value. Watch fixtures closely. Double game weeks and blanks are game-changers. Get your squad in, back your gut. And may your captain never get benched. Key Dates November 30 (TBC): SuperCoach Cup begins February 12, 2026 (TBC): SuperCoach Cup Final May 25, 2026 (TBC) – EPL season concludes
