Manchester City broke the footballing world when they purchased Erling Haaland for a record transfer fee. However, despite incredible success in his first season in the Premier League, the Norwegian Manchester City striker, Haaland, has struggled to find his form. This begs to question, was he worth the record-breaking transfer fee? AND will he help Manchester City to the trophy? Only time will tell.
The Young Manchester City Striker Faces Criticism
Roy Keane picks out Erling Haaland's weakness that's like 'a League Two player' https://t.co/hWBhvKqPfY
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) April 1, 2024
Haaland’s playing style and lack of technical ability has come under fire in recent weeks. There is footage of his poor passing in a pre-game warmup, lack of movement off the ball during a game, and inability to score goals.
Roy Keane, a famous Liverpool player and pundit, even stated Haaland is playing like a League Two player.
‘His general play is so poor. In front of goal he’s the best in the world, but for his general play for such a player, it is so poor…He’s almost like a League Two player.’
Other football pundits and critics have agreed with Keane about the Manchester City striker. Critics claim his link-up play could be better, his all-around game isn’t the best, and his lay-off passes are inaccurate. However, other experts claim that contributing goals is the only thing Haaland has to worry about during a soccer match.
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Pep Guardiola defends the Manchester City Striker
Despite a recent spell of poor form, the Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, defends Haaland.
‘I do not agree with him, absolutely not…He’s the best striker in the world. We played an exceptional game against Arsenal.’
In Erling Haaland’s first season in the Premier League, the Manchester City striker played 35 games, netting 36 goals and providing 8 assists. Those incredible stats mean he scored more than one goal per game.
So far this 2023-2024 season, the Norwegian giant has played 24 matches, scored 18 goals, and provided 5 assists. The dominance of Erling Haaland’s stats, especially for a footballer who is still just 23 years old, cannot be understated.
Pep Guardiola seems to back his Manchester City Striker, Haaland, no matter the recent criticism and lack of goal-scoring opportunities.
Man City just played Aston Villa, earning a well-deserved 4-1 win, thanks to a Phil Foden hat trick. Despite Haaland not getting on the scoresheet, again, the club should be happy with the 3 points.