Former Manchester City star Micah Richards celebrated Erling Haaland's majestic winner vs. Dortmund in the Champions League but did admit he would take Kylian Mbappe in a hypothetical soccer pick 'em.
Both Mbappe and Haaland scored on an action-packed matchday two of the Champions League as PSG and Manchester City completed comeback wins.
During CBS Sports' postgame coverage, Richards was asked which of the strikers he would pick.
Naturally, with such an ambiguous question, the Englishman sought clarification.
'What we talking about? All-round game?'
Rebuffed and asked to simply pick one or the other, Richards settled for the homegrown Paris Saint-Germain striker.
'I would still take Mbappe,' Richards admitted. 'Because I love Mbappe, I love the way he moves.'
Instantly, fellow pundit Jamie Carragher jumped in, looking to create mischief.
Carragher smugly asked; 'So you don't like Manchester City's Erling Haaland?'
'I didn't say that,' Richards rebuked. 'I just said I prefer Mbappe.'
Richards stopped short of taking Mbappe over Haaland in every circumstance, admitting the former Borussia Dortmund star is a far better fit for Pep Guardiola's side.
Carragher posed the question; 'so, you'd rather Mbappe play Man City than Haaland?'
'No, not in this system,' Richards replied. 'Not in this system.'
'As a number 9, Haaland in Man City's team I would prefer him, but all-round game, Mbappe.'
Haaland was the talk of the studio following his 84th minute winner against the Bundesliga club but Richards pumped the breaks on him continuing at his current scoring rate.
'Let's not talk him up too much. I think he can be that superstar but he's had his injury problems as well.
'It's not realistic. is it?
Richards played 179 times for the reigning Premier League champions between 2005-15, scoring six goals for the Etihad Stadium club.
He is also an ambassador for the club, and has been in the role for several years.
Carragher continued to troll his sparring partner once off-air, tweeting that his position may not be so safe following his comments.
'Micah Richards putting his #ManCity ambassador role in jeopardy!'
Haaland's wondergoal was born out of his ability to launch himself almost parallel to the sky, sticking out a lunging foot to poke the ball home.
'I've always wondered what's he doing,' Carragher said of Haaland's acrobatic attempts.
'But that's why he's doing it because he's got a brilliant ability, you know, great spring when he's in the air, very acrobatic and a special goal by a special player.'
Thierry Henry knows a thing or two about goal scoring and weighed in with his expert thoughts on the unique approach, only rivaled by a fellow Nordic giant.
'On this particular occasion, he had to do it but sometimes he doesn't have to jump and get balls but he does it.
Zlatan used to do it, also and still does it. They go with their feet in the air and try to finish but the ball of Cancelo please let's talk about it.'
Carragher, playing the jokester again, piped up; 'do you think Mbappe could've scored it?'
Henry answered emphatically and factually, 'no, but he created and scored tonight.'
Kuteesa
0
and you must be senseless for insulting someone for his own personal opinion every one has his or her own preferences if you like mbappe doesn't mean everyone also must like him gosh!!!!
Then don't be bothered
Kuteesa
0
and you must be senseless for insulting someone for his own personal opinion every one has his or her own preferences if you like mbappe doesn't mean everyone also must like him gosh!!!!
I meant it
Jimmyswaggar
0
U must be out of your senses
and you must be senseless for insulting someone for his own personal opinion every one has his or her own preferences if you like mbappe doesn't mean everyone also must like him gosh!!!!
Wizbaba
5
Why people don’t understand that Halland is a number 9 so he will only give you goals nothing else… why is it hard to understand? 🤔🤔🤔🤔
madhurpednekar99
2
I don’t understand what is Richards still doing on the panel .. he is amongst the least experience players out there .. & he gets to judge the great ones ..
Kuteesa
0
I PREFER HAALAND. Nowadays u will get many players who can dribble coming from the wings but proper no9 is less than few. Haaland also has more winning mentality and team spirit whereas as Mbappe will be happy if he shines regardless of team winning or losing. DONT COMPARE LION TO TURTLE
U must be out of your senses
charles707
2
Richards doesn't know the herk he's talking @bout. ad a former footballer you must know the difference between a striker(no.9) and winger. if I want a no.9 in 5hu* errands I will go in for Haaland not shape
TenzinRapten
5
I PREFER HAALAND. Nowadays u will get many players who can dribble coming from the wings but proper no9 is less than few. Haaland also has more winning mentality and team spirit whereas as Mbappe will be happy if he shines regardless of team winning or losing. DONT COMPARE LION TO TURTLE
u7u7u7u7
2
haaland numbers speak for themselves . he doesnt wait for ppl to be satisfied with him.
_Ani_The_King_
2
I prefer halland no attitude only performance to mbappe out of the world attitude
Vezonic22
2
Respect Haaland Richard, Respect that Beast!!
Santanacityzen
1
ALL round selfishness & kill TEAM spirit that's whatbhe has over HAALAND.., HAALAND is the ultimate goalscorer
CallmeCJ
2
You're allowed to have preferences.