‘Doesn’t matter about the goals’ - Ex-EPL star claims Haaland is not on the same level as Ronaldo

Haaland has been Manchester City’s best player since joining the club, with an insane scoring record. 

He has already scored 19 goals in 15 appearances this season, bringing his career total to 333 goals in just 375 matches. 

This record surpasses even what Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had achieved by the age of 25.

Deeney argues that the Manchester City star lacks the complete skill set that defined the Brazilian icon, often referred to as R9.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Deeney acknowledged Haaland's current dominance but highlighted the difficulty in making historical comparisons.

"You know when someone is that good we start looking for their flaws? That’s when you know how good he is when it’s like ‘ah, his link-up play isn’t that good’," Deeney explained.

"Haaland scores goals – that’s what you get. My worry is in games where [for example] Arsenal drop off deep, he hasn’t been able to just take it to the next level and just figure out what it is," he added. 

"Because there will be three or four games this season where the opposition just drops deep, he gets five touches and then we’re going ‘oh my god, is Haaland even any good?!'"

However, when asked directly if Haaland is on the same level as the Brazilian Ronaldo, Deeney was unequivocal.

"He’s not in R9’s category. Doesn’t matter [about the goals]. Anyone who has played the game will tell you the same thing," Deeney stated firmly.

"R9 could do everything. There’s nothing he couldn’t do. He’d get the ball from midfield and run past [defenders]... when people could actually tackle and take you out, he’s skipping past these people," he continued. 

"Two knee operations. Goes to Man United in the Champions League and scoring a hat-trick, getting clapped off – there’s just levels to what people were doing."