Erling Haaland has been in the limelight all week after claims that Manchester City were the wrong club for him to join in the summer – and it has now been made explicitly clear how his style doesn’t suit them.
Haaland was a huge signing for Man City in the summer from Borussia Dortmund. His form since has justified his high value. After all, scoring 25 goals in his first 20 Premier League games is an outstanding record.
However, after City lost to Tottenham a week ago – while Haaland failed to register a shot on target or even a single touch in the opposition box – questions have been raised of how the team as a whole are functioning with their new target man.
Jamie Carragher led the claims by suggesting on Sky Sports that Haaland may have “picked the wrong club” because of how City’s style does not necessarily play to his strengths.
It is a viewpoint clearly shared by a few others and has prompted plenty of speculation about Haaland’s future in recent days.
TEAMtalk understands that Pep Guardiola is indeed happy with Haaland and talk of friction between the parties is something of an exaggeration.
But the coach will have to work out how City can play better with Haaland in the team. They have fallen off the pace in the title race despite adding all his goals into the equation.
Now, another pundit, Frank McAvennie, has given his take on why Haaland might be at the wrong club to bring the best out of himself.
According to McAvennie, only one City player looks like he wants to play Haaland in at the moment.
“Haaland’s face when he walked off the other night looked raging,” McAvennie told Football Insider.
“They have got the best striker in the world and they are not playing to his strengths. Man Utd would have been a better option for Haaland.
Erling Haaland issue causing Man City disadvantage in title race
“All this tippy tappy football, that is not Haaland. He makes some great runs and it is not happening.
“[Kevin] De Bruyne seems to be the only one wanting to pass to him. [Jack] Grealish wants to run and get fouls but if he put his head up he could play him in.
“It is not all rosy there and if it keeps going the way that it is going Arsenal could win the league.”
Of course, Arsenal are currently above City in the Premier League table. Therefore, the Haaland issue is one that City need to fix in order to cut the gap.
They certainly have a potent player at their disposal and his numbers have been incredible. But as a unit, they need to adapt so they are working from the same page.
Haaland is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2027. There is plenty of time ahead for the club to work out how to make the most of him.
But things will seemingly need to improve if Haaland is to feel fully comfortable at City. A player of his quality will always attract interest from elsewhere, after all.
Source: teamtalk.com
