Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

I was Pep Guardiola's first no.9 at Man City, but now I play in Spain's second tier

talksport.com, 6 May 2023, 17:45
Erling Haaland's arrival at Manchester City has been nothing short of tremendous thanks to his superb form in front of goal.

The Norwegian is dominating the scoring charts, and his form is a stark contrast to Pep Guardiola's first no.9 at City, Nolito.

Advertisement

After shining for three seasons at Celta Vigo in La Liga, the Spaniard made the switch to the Premier League giants in 2016.

He joined City in the same summer as Guardiola following his departure from Bayern Munich.

Advertisement

He was Guardiola's second signing after midfielder Ilkay Gundogan joined.

Nolito was brought in to play a part in the club's new-look attack, but he was unable to make any significant impact on the side.

The Spaniard scored just six goals in 30 appearances in what would prove to be his only season at the club.

It was clear the move would not pan out as many had hoped, and Nolito hinted towards a return to Spain in the final stages of the campaign.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Speaking to Cope in May 2017, he said: "I'm crazy about returning to Spain. City keep signing players, we'll see if they'll let me leave easily.

"I hope I can leave, whether it's on loan, a transfer or whatever. I have several teams I'd prefer to join. I know Atletico, Celta, but they're things for my agent."

He also wasn't keen on England's culture or weather.

Advertisement

"I have learnt very, very little English - it's very hard. Just 'tomorrow', 'good morning', 'good afternoon' and a little more," he told Onda Cero.

"My daughter's face has changed colour - it looks like she's been living in a cave."

Nolito got his wish two months later as he signed a three-year deal with Sevilla, before returning to Celta in 2020.

Advertisement

After two years back at the club, he completed a free transfer to UD Ibiza, who play in the Segunda Division.

Now 36, Nolito is entering the latter stages of his career, while City's current no.9 is ripping up Premier League records.

Haaland has established himself as one of the most talented players on the planet since he joined last summer.

Advertisement

The 22-year-old has scored 51 goals across all competitions in his debut campaign, with 35 of those coming in the Premier League.

His efforts in front of goal have seen him break countless records throughout the season.

Guardiola's star man has proven his quality on countless occasions, and could end up as a treble-winner in June.

Top News

19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Tuesday, England Under-17s will kick off the European Under-17 Championship with a tricky game against last year's runners-up France Under-17s. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Manchester United squad are apparently facing the prospect of a mammoth pay cut due to their failure to qualify for the 2024-25 Champions League. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk David Moyes believes he is leaving West Ham United having enjoyed a "successful" period as the club's manager and hopes they can reach new heights in the 2024-25 season. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Tuesday, Spain Under-17s will face Iberian rivals Portugal Under-17s on matchday one of the European Under-17 Championship. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta issued a short, sharp response when asked if the injury that kept Bukayo Saka out of Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton could harm his chances of playing for England at Euro 2024. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has paid an emotional tribute to Liverpool's departing boss Jurgen Klopp following his final match in charge of the Reds at Anfield on Sunday. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A Liverpool academy graduate scored a landmark Premier League goal in the Reds' 2-0 beating of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on the final day. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola is confident that Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side will continue to challenge his Manchester City team for the Premier League title for "many years". 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola has admitted that he is "closer to leaving than staying" at Manchester City after leading the club to a record fourth consecutive Premier League title. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Tuesday, Italy Under-17s kick off their European Under-17 Championship campaign with Poland Under-17s at AEK Arena in Cyprus. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Slovakia Under-17s will begin their European Under-17 Championship in Tuesday's clash with Sweden Under-17s at the Paralimni Stadium in Cyprus. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lorient suffered an automatic relegation from Ligue 1 in the most heartbreaking circumstances as Metz survived by the skin of their teeth on the final day. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cadiz have been relegated from La Liga, with their four-year stay in Spain's top flight coming to an end on the penultimate weekend of the 2023-24 campaign. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Departing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp paid a heart-rending tribute to his backroom coaching team after the curtain came down on his glittering Reds career. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti lavished praise on Arda Guler following the teenager's brace in Sunday's La Liga clash with Villarreal. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ten Premier League whistles sounded for the final time on a sunny Sunday evening, where title and relegation fates were sealed on a goal-laden final day of 2023-24 action. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jurgen Klopp delivered an emotional speech to the Anfield crowd after leading Liverpool to a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in his final match as the club's head coach. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that Diogo Dalot deserves credit for his performances for the club during the 2023-24 campaign. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has said that his future at the club is up to "the owners and the sporting director". 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has admitted that his side will "need to go to a different level" if they are to get over the line in the future for the Premier League title. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has admitted that his side's final position of eighth in the Premier League table 'is not good enough'. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are condemned to a second-placed finish despite a 2-1 win over Everton. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have been crowned Premier League champions for a record fourth season in a row after beating West Ham United 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham secure a fifth-placed Premier League finish with a 3-0 beating of Sheffield United. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea record a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, securing sixth place in the Premier League table. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool reign ends with a routine 2-0 win over 10-man Wolves. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo went into Sunday's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth having failed to score in his first 47 appearances for the club. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will reportedly turn down any offers which arrive for Bruno Fernandes this summer, with the club have no interest in allowing the Portugal international to leave. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lisandro Martinez is handed a start in Manchester United's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have made two changes for Sunday's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.