Bernardo Silva claims Erling Haaland is ‘the only player who gets close’ to Cristiano Ronaldo

Bernardo Silva believes Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland is the only player that comes close to Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to a strikers’ instincts. 

Haaland has taken the Premier League by storm so far this season following his summer move from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

Silva is one of few to play with the Norwegian as well as Ronaldo at international level with Portugal and he has made a comparison between the two, though he believes the former is not on the same level yet. 

Bernardo Silva has compared Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland to Cristiano Ronaldo

‘I was speaking with a few friends the other day and I said he is the only player who gets close to Cristiano in terms of knowing where the ball will land inside the box,’ he said speaking to Arab News via The Sun. 

‘He’s got that smell of knowing where it lands and he’s so quick and strong, which is not easy for the defenders. Can he reach the same standards? Well, I’m playing with Erling so I hope so but the standards are so high.

‘Cristiano has won five Ballon d’Ors, five Champions Leagues. You never know what will happen in the future. Erling’s still very young, still got a lot to do but the mentality is there, so yes.’

Haaland has needed no time to settle into the Premier League and he has so far netted 15 times in just nine appearances.  

Midfielder Silva (left) is one of few to play with Ronaldo and Haaland this season  

Meanwhile, Ronaldo has dominated European football for the best part of 15 years, with five Ballon d’Or trophies and five Champions League winners’ medal just a few of the accolades he has won over that period. 

The 37-year-old reached yet another landmark last week, scoring his 700th club goal in Manchester United’s win over Everton at Goodison Park. 

Manchester City are on the hunt for a third straight Premier League title and Silva says the presence of Haaland put fear into teams, having not had a focal point upfront in recent years.  

‘We have always had good results over the last few years but it’s true that now we have a player up front that is so strong, big,’ he added.

Silva says the presence of Haaland has put more fear into Manchester City’s opponents  

‘And the other teams fear a little bit of that. Personally, I feel if me and the other midfielders and defenders do our jobs properly then we have so much quality up front.

‘Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Erling, they can decide the games, they can take care of the rest. But we have to do a proper job, control the rhythm of the game and then we know the weapons we have up front.’

Pep Guardiola’s side will return to action on Sunday when they travel to Anfield to take on rivals Liverpool. 

A win over the Reds will ensure City sit at the top of the table, providing current leaders Arsenal drop points in the earlier kick-off against Leeds.