Erling Haaland test would not faze Sean Dyche, says he would ‘fancy his chances’ against Manchester City star

Sean Dyche has heaped praise on Erling Haaland, but said he would fancy his chances in a battle with the Manchester City forward.

The Norwegian has few weaknesses, with strength, pace, excellent touch and a mean eye for goal.

Dyche will have to come up with a plan to stop Haaland when his Everton side take on City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Roll back a few years, and Dyche could have been faced with the challenge of tackling Haaland during his career as a centre-back – and it is a task he would have relished.

“I fancied my chances against any centre-forward, that’s the one strength I had,” Dyche said when asked how he would have challenged Haaland. “I was not that great, but I always fancied my chances against every centre-forward I played against.”

Dyche believes the acquisition of Haaland from Borussia Dortmund last summer merely added to the embarrassment of riches at City boss Pep Guardiola’s disposal.

“He has just given them another way of attacking, with his physicality and the pace and power he brings to it,” Dyche said. “We know City have lots of good players, and it gives them another way of operating.

“If they do need to hit a longer ball, or from the ‘keeper, they can do.

“He is a super, high-quality player. But I am pretty sure Pep knows it is not just about him, it is a very strong outfit across the board.”

City travel to Goodison Park to take on Dyche’s Everton on Sunday.

While City will arrive on Merseyside at the top of the Premier League table, one point clear of Arsenal, Everton are battling to avoid relegation.

Following the meeting with City, Everton have a trip to Wolves and a home game with Bournemouth, and will seek the points needed to secure their coveted top-flight status.