Pundit hopes Norway striker will join Chelsea because they ‘need him most’
Paul Merson is confident the Norway international Erling Haaland will fire Chelsea to the Premier League title if the striker joins Thomas Tuchel’s Stamford Bridge revolution.
The Borussia Dortmund attacker was on the brink of being reunited with his former Molde boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford 18 months ago but ultimately decided to sign for the Bundesliga club instead.
Erling has since cemented his reputation as one of European football’s deadliest centre-forwards and Dortmund will face a significant battle to keep the player, as well as Jadon Sancho, in the summer, particularly if the club fail, as seems likely, to secure UEFA Champions League qualification.
Thomas has made an impressive start, meantime, to his Chelsea tenure but with Tammy Abraham likely earn the majority of his starting opportunities in the cup competitions and Timo Werner failing to fire, a new striker is likely to represent one of his summer priorities.
Erling will have the pick of his club, assuming he decides to seek a new challenge, but Merson thinks Chelsea represents his best option.
Paul told the Daily Star: ‘Of all the teams who are in for Erling Haaland, Chelsea are the ones who need him most.
‘They have always been successful with someone who has a presence up front and Haaland has that. He’s going to score bundles wherever he goes.
‘And if you buy him this summer, you still have the prospect of being able to sell him for a profit later down the line because of his age.’