How Would Kylian Mbappe And Erling Haaland Combine At Man City?

PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 25: Kylian Mbappe of PSG looks on prior to the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match ... [+] between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennais FC at Parc des Princes on February 25, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)

Most expect Kylian Mbappe to join Real Madrid this summer. The Spanish giants have courted the French forward for years and with Mbappe having already communicated his intention to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season it seems likely there will soon be a new superstar at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There has, however, been links with other clubs. Mikel Arteta was asked about Arsenal’s interest in Mbappe while Liverpool have been linked with the French international in the past. Interestingly, one report earlier this month claimed Mbappe’s representatives also met with figures at Manchester City.

City, of course, already boast one of the best centre forwards in European soccer in the form of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian has scored an incredible 27 goals in all competitions this season despite missing a number of matches through injury. Haaland has made himself the face of a winning machine under Pep Guardiola.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores his fifth goal during the Emirates FA Cup fifth round match ... [+] at Kenilworth Road, Luton. Picture date: Tuesday February 27, 2024. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

So how would Mbappe fit into the Manchester City lineup were he to join the club this summer? The Frenchman is most effective when he starts on the left side of the frontline, so in theory it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Mbappe would find a natural role in Guardiola’s team. There would be, however, other concerns.

Mbappe thrives on the counter attack and Manchester City aren’t much of a counter-attacking team. Instead, Guardiola likes his players to control matches and disorganise opponents through their use of possession. This approach might not get the best out of Mbappe who likes to burst in behind high defensive lines.

There were, however, similar concerns about Haaland joining City and he has flourished at the Etihad Stadium. What’s more, Mbappe currently plays for Luis Enrique, a coach whose approach has significant overlap with that of Guardiola’s. Mbappe’s final season at PSG could prepare him for life at a possession-orientated club.

DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 18: Kilian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain shakes hands with Erling ... [+] Haaland of Dortmund prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on February 18, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

It’s unlikely Mbappe will end up at Manchester City this summer. He is known to have been a Real Madrid fan from a young age and would be a billboard star in Spain - at City, he would have to share the spotlight with Haaland, a player he has clashed with in the past. Financial Fair Play rules might also stop Manchester City from making a move.

Nonetheless, the prospect of Haaland and Mbappe in the same team is a tantalising one. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never played together, but it would have been fun if they had. Haaland and Mbappe are seen as the next two best players in the world. One wonders how they would combine together.