The list of longest active contracts in world football makes for confusing, perhaps bleak reading. Before Premier League clubs voted to ban amortisation in December 2023, Chelsea spent three years offer seven-plus year contract offers to new signings, meaning the annual cost of big money signings such as Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were spread longer periods of time.

As such, nine of the top 12 longest active player contracts are attached to Chelsea. Many of those who initially signed on long contracts - a tactic that now makes little sense with low financial incentive - have had extensions added meaning Chelsea have 15 players committed to the club beyond 2030.

Given the spread in quality of those names, eyebrows are naturally raised whenever a club ties down a player for seven years or beyond. For every Cole Palmer and Nicholas Jackson (both signed until 2033) there's a Mykhalo Mudryk (2031), and Filip Jorgensen (2031).

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Over at the Etihad, Erling Haaland's extension to 2034, that places him at the top of that list and bucks the trend. With the exception of City academy product Palmer, Haaland is the only proven Premier League player and one who was already at the club rather than signed to a lengthy contract. Doubts still loom over Jackson, and some of Chelsea's other long-committals like Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, while there are entirely unproven quantities in Jorgensen, Aaron Anselmino, and Renato Veiga.

Until Chelsea's amortisation loophole, near-decade long contract extensions were incredibly rare, and the quality of player to receive them reflected as much. Lionel Messi signed a nine year extension for Barcelona in 2005, whilst Cesc Fabregas, aged 19 at the time, signed one to commit to Arsenal for eight years in 2006.

Whilst Fabregas' commitment ended when he signed for Barcelona in 2011, the £35million fee attached five years after he'd signed the contract represented very good value for Arsenal at the time, with add-ons ensuring it was the fourth-biggest fee paid that summer window.

As such, Manchester City can drive a hard bargain for Haaland for many years to come. Should the likes of Real Madrid come knocking if they wish to utilise Kylian Mbappe out wide, or Barcelona and Bayern Munich seek to replace the ageing Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane, City have fortified their star man.

On the pitch, Haaland has showed few signs of ever letting settle his appetite for goals. In just two and a half seasons at City, he has scored 113 goals, 80 in the Premier League, including 23 total in a season where he is considered to have slowed down amidst City's drop in form.

One concern is Guardiola's long term future beyond his deal that is due to expire in 2027. Nonetheless, Haaland has excelled under each of the managers he has played under, albeit in a short, four-club career. He possess adaptable traits that would surely help him fit into any side - something the City board have obviously considered - but there's no guarantee his form could continue to justify £500,000 a week which would create a scenario where both club and player are locked in unhappily.

That said, Haaland's nine-year committal makes sense. A world class player, still just 24, who is willing to have a team built around him. As a marketable asset he will help build City's profile for years to come.