Joleon Lescott compared the swagger of Manchester City’s statement signing Erling Haaland to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Haaland, the £51million capture from Borussia Dortmund, arrives in the Premier League with huge expectation.
But City believe the 21-year-old will handle the scrutiny placed upon him and can lean into pressure situations as they attempt to lift three consecutive titles.
‘I think you can compare Haaland to Zlatan,’ Lescott said. ‘I like that, I like the personality he seems to have.
‘It’s clear that he is someone who knows what he wants and what he represents. He puts pressure on himself to do well.
‘It’s his style, his build, his belief. The stature of him and his presence remind me so much of Zlatan.
‘But he has this quality. I wouldn’t call it arrogance. It’s more like this belief in his ability.’
Haaland can be outspoken, claiming earlier this summer that Sweden defender Alexander Milosevic called him a ‘wh***’ and threatened to ‘break his legs’ during Norway’s 2-1 victory in the Nations League.
Lescott believes Premier League defenders will attempt to rile the striker in a City shirt but is adamant he has the temperament to deal with provocation.
‘I watched the defender (Milosevic) giving him stick and he rose to it and said, “I’m ready for this,”,’ Lescott added.
‘That’s the kind of attitude you need in the Premier League so I wouldn’t worry about that element in his game. You need that arrogance, that belief, that you are the best. ‘He will get targeted - but I think that defenders will come unstuck if they do.
‘I don’t think Haaland’s temperament can be questioned. He doesn’t make reckless tackles or get sent off. He retaliates in a positive way.
‘He is a player City need. He is the right acquisition. I don’t think there are many players out there with the personality that Haaland has got.’
