I don't think we need to talk about Haaland's qualities. They are well known. He is very far in his development for his almost 21 years and is already one of the most dangerous #9 in Europe. In relation to Barcelona, however, I see question marks. In my opinion, you will have to take a closer look than just relying on his strong goal rate, especially since it is not on another level in the Bundesliga. This year, Andre Silva has better scorers. The last few weeks have at least confirmed my doubts. In the national team he hardly saw any land against deep-lying teams. Not even against the amateurs of Gibraltar. And suddenly criticism also arises in Dortmund's fanbase. Haaland's greatest strengths come into play when he has space. In my opinion that cannot be discussed away. BUT at Haaland, I definitely see potential that he could adapt to the Barca game. He has the physical requirements, is very willing to learn, is only 21 years old and is technically not so limited that it would be an impossible undertaking. His ability to score and his physique are extraordinary. That would look very good on Barca.
Haaland is an incredibly exciting player, but in my opinion he is currently rated a little too high. Not in terms of his talent, but his current performance. Against Sevilla he was of course outstanding and everyone was talking about him in Spain and in the forum, but in the weeks after that there was practically nothing. Especially against deep-lying opponents, he also has a lot of trouble at BVB. He has to work on that, but I don't see it that badly either. Haaland is only 21 years old, it is completely logical that he is not yet at the end of his development. Also, for all my critique about him being not good recently, with his national team he is suffering the same way other great players did because of lack of service and quality around him and Dortmund isn't a great side either, at least not this year, which is hardly his fault. But in my opinion, you don't do these players any satisfaction if you always bring up the superlative comparisons with Messi and Ronaldo. These are players who have pulverized all records. At the moment I can't imagine that we'll see a player like Messi or Ronaldo again anytime soon.
If I had to choose between the two, it would be for Haaland. In relation to Barcelona, of course. I see a higher probability with him that he could adapt to our game and I absolutely trust him to deal with the pressure here. If the conditions are not completely beyond good and bad, then I would like to see him here too. 2022 for the buyout of 75 million euros? We should try our best to sign him.
I know I criticised Mbappe for his dribbling in tight spaces and Haaland obviously isn't better in that regard. Let's not forget that this wasn't Suarez' forte either. Mbappe is not a chicken like Riqui and he is quite bulky for his height, but I don't see the ability in him to "break" defenders with physicality. Something Suarez was good at. Something I trust Haaland to do. I think that's an important trait for a #9 at Barca if you can't get R9, something that was underrated with Suarez. Apart from that, what puts Haaland ahead of Mbappe for me is his immaculate understanding of space and positioning that makes him the world-class striker he is.
To clarify: this may sound a bit negative now (I'm by no means denying their unbelievable qualities), but I just don't want to jump onto the hype train yet. The two of them still have a lot to prove, but: with almost 21 and 23, they are still young enough and not at the end of their development. Where was Lewandowski at their age? His development in his late 20s has shown that a player at 24 is not a "finished" player in terms of development. Tbf, Lewandowski never relied on lightning speed. It is completely undisputed that Haaland and Mbappe are probably the most exciting U23 offensive players in Europe at the moment and that they have incredible potential. But not every player fits in so well with Barcelona that one can speak of a no brainer. Something, FDJ probably was.
In my opinion, both Haaland and Mbappe have to be put in relation to the costs. That will be 400+ million euro packages! You have to be 100% convinced that they can perform ideally in the Barca system and that their strengths come into play. Imo, that is central. What if Haaland's strengths do not come into play here? Griezmann, Coutinho and Dembele come to mind. Quality and world class alone are not enough. The strengths of Mbappe would be currently better represented in Madrid or Liverpool in my eyes. Basically: for teams with priority 1 "fast transition game", Haaland and Mbappe are absolute no-brainers.
