David James feels one Manchester City wonderkid and Erling Haaland have chemistry on the pitch despite the Premier League winner’s 3-2 defeat to AC Milan.
Since joining City, Haaland’s relationship with Kevin De Bruyne has somewhat become the stuff of legends.
Despite playing in tandem for only two seasons, the pair might already rank highly amongst the Premier League’s greatest attacking duos.
Manchester City’s number nine seems to be quite an easy striker to play alongside — considering his movement, timing of the runs and finishing is top-notch.
As long as the pass is timed correctly, it seems virtually guaranteed that the former Borussia Dortmund marksman will put the ball into the back of the net.
David James comments on Oscar Bobb and Erling Haaland as a duo after Man City lose to AC Milan
However, not every player has the vision, passing range and intelligence of De Bruyne to develop a telepathic understanding with Haaland.
Ilkay Gundogan, perhaps had the best understanding with the 24-year-old before his departure to Barcelona while even Jack Grealish has shown that he does at times.
But as Manchester City were beaten by AC Milan, David James observed how well Oscar Bobb and Haaland linked up with each other.
On the club’s official live half-time show on YouTube, James said: “In the first-half, obviously with the goal that he scored, the relationship with Oscar Bobb and this was a positive thing because you didn’t see that many opportunities for Oscar Bobb.”
“I know that sounds like a negative but when Oscar Bobb and Erling Haaland are on the pitch, it seems to work fantastically well, something that Pep will be very aware of and possibly even thinking about how he might introduce us at the beginning of the season.”
Oscar Bobb and Erling Haaland should be unleashed as a duo next season
Haaland’s opener was an indicator of Bobb’s understanding of his countryman’s game as before delivering the cutback, he had a look to spot him before playing the ball.
The latter has assisted the former for the second time in successive games; setting up the ex-RB Salzburg frontman’s goal against Celtic as well.
The treble-winner’s positioning was also flawless as he perhaps instinctively understood the 21-year-old’s intentions once he ghosted past Fikayo Tomori.
Once again in the first-half, Bobb displayed his quick feet before Haaland, who did well to get a shot off using his weaker right foot in a cramped area that flew over the crossbar.
However, it seems like there is growing partnership between the pair and with the former continuing to impress on pre-season, his seeming understanding of the prolific goalscorer’s game should ideally lead to the pair playing more in tandem during the 2024/2025 campaign.