Reported Arsenal target Rasmus Hojlund has been likened to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Atalanta and Denmark striker Hojlund moved to Italy from Austrian side Sturm Graz for €17.2million last summer.
The 20-year-old has impressed this season, scoring 14 goals and providing five assists in 33 matches across all competitions.
His form this year has been particularly impressive. Hojlund netted in his first three Serie A fixtures since the turn of the year and came off the bench to score a crucial late winner against Empoli last Friday.
READ: Rashford, Osimhen and Haaland way out in front as top goalscorers of 2023
Given his position, height (6ft 2), name, appearance and the fact he is from a Scandinavian country, Hojlund has been compared to Norwegian superstar Haaland.
Former Leeds United player Mike Grella has said the comparisons should be taken “very lightly” but believes Hojlund “can do more than Haaland”.
“I will take the comparison with Haaland very lightly, because he is one of the best,” Grella explained.
“There is also a slight difference between them, which speaks in Hojlund’s favour.
“He can do more than Haaland. Haaland is more the type who duels with the centre-backs and just scores lots of goals.
“Hojlund can dribble past an opponent. He can keep the ball better. Hojlund can better help the team on the edge (of the penalty box) or deeper in the pitch.”
The young striker’s former boss at Sturm Graz has bought into the comparisons, however.
“There can be a comparison between Rasmus and Erling Haaland,” Ilzer said. “In some characteristics, they are similar.
“Both are very fast, they also share determination and the desire to always score. Both Hojlund and Haaland are two very positive youngsters and have great confidence in their abilities.”
Ilzer believes that Hojlund is “ready” to make the move to a bigger club, with Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester United all reportedly keen.
“I’m really happy that Hojlund managed to adapt so quickly to Serie A and became an important player for Atalanta,” he added.
“I think he is probably already ready to move to an even more important club. However, we must always remember that he is 20.
“I think that, in Bergamo, he has a coach like [Gian Piero] Gasperini who believes in him a lot. He can count on a team that has been doing really well for years. And therefore it wouldn’t be bad for Hojlund to stay at Atalanta.
“Indeed, he can…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football365…