'Too special and too good' - Chelsea & Barcelona legend Cesc Fabregas admits Erling Haaland regret despite glittering career

Como head coach Fabregas was waxing lyrical about Norwegian international Haaland and how the big forward always keeps defences on their toes. The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea star admitted that he would have loved to have played alongside the 6'4 hitman - and that he never played with someone of his ilk.

He toldPlanet Premier League: “But I think when you are talking about this type of players like Haaland, you cannot really say anything like that because he will just put you to shame in a way. You know, he will make it happen. He will break the record - now he didn't score, but he will score three. He's too special and too good. And he plays in such a good team all around the pitch that there is always a gap or a way for him to make a difference at any point in any game. And especially in the form that he's in now, I would never get too complacent, you know, if I was a central defender or an Arsenal player or any player in any other team when we play against Haaland because the guy’s a machine. I really like him. I wish I played with a striker of his calibre and yeah, we need to always be on our toes to stop him.”

Fabregas played alongside so many great footballers during spells with Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea and he won a World Cup with Spain, Champions League titles, and more. But the fact that he seemingly puts Haaland on a pedestal, despite enjoying a glittering career and being team-mates to some first-rate strikers, speaks volumes about how good he thinks the City attacker is.

Haaland, who has already scored nine goals in four Premier League games this season, will next be in action on Wednesday night in their Champions League opener against Inter, before locking horns with Premier League title challengers Arsenal on Sunday.