Thierry Henry and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher can’t see past Manchester City winning the 2022/23 edition of the UEFA Champions League.
The duo agreed that Erling Haaland introduction into Manchester City’s set-up is a game-changer, but Henry did warn that it now puts ‘even more pressure’ on Pep Guardiola, as Carragher jibed at Real Madrid by branding them ‘lucky’ after they won the European Cup last season at the expense of Liverpool and other English teams.
As a result, Carragher proceeded to label the 14-time winners as ‘dark horses’ to win it again, which of course is the former defender looking for bites from Madrid fans.
Either way, Manchester City have kicked off their campaign with a comfortable win at Sevilla on Tuesday night, whilst Madrid saw past Celtic at Parkhead.
Liverpool, who have started the new Premier League season in an indifferent manner, are in Naples ahead of their opener against Napoli tonight.
And when Carragher and Henry was asked to share their thoughts on who could win the competition this season, they issued this response, as they told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (06/09/22 at 7:05 pm).
“I feel like it has to be Manchester City, it really does,” said Carragher. “I think with Haaland now. I think if they had him last season, then I think they would have had a great chance of winning. I think they would have beaten Real Madrid.
“They are the big ones. Then you would look at outsiders, but maybe it’s difficult for outsiders. There are only four or five teams that can win it. Who would you class as an outsider? Who is an outsider to win it really?
On his comments from last season that Real Madrid had ‘no chance’ to win it and if he is now nervous: “I am not nervous one bit. Real Madrid were the luckiest team to win the Champions League by a mile. They got beat by a team of ____ in the group stages. How they got through against Man City, it was the luckiest thing you have seen in your life. They had one shot on target in the final and won I will go for Real Madrid as my dark horses.”
Henry added: “I have to echo what Jamie said about Man City. It’s about time they win it. Again, I am going to talk about Pep. I want him to validate what he is doing at Manchester City. But having Haaland, I think puts even more pressure on them.
“After that, you can talk about a lot of teams. The usual suspects will be there. One thing I also see is the Italian league growing with players going there and teams getting better. But can they get better in the Champions League?”
BIGGEST PRESSURE ON MAN CITY
Over one billion spent, yet zero Champions League trophies in Man City’s cabinet.
There is no doubt that on the domestic stage Man City have been utterly dominant and they will probably continue to do so during these coming years.
But that’s a punch that will continue to get thrown at them until they join the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United by winning the biggest domestic trophy possible.
There’s no doubt that Erling Haaland’s arrival changes the tide and brings more belief in the club’s camp that this could now be their time.
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