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Since joining Manchester City, Erling Haaland has scored 107 goals and provides 15 assists in 118 appearances across all competitions.
Erling Haaland has been one of Manchester City’s key players. (AP Phoo)
Former Dutch footballer Rafael van der Vaart didn’t mince his words while criticising Erling Haaland for his poor form. Van der Vaart feels Haaland has failed to step up in difficult situations when Manchester City needed him the most.
Pep Guardiola’s side appears to be going through a lean patch. The reigning Premier League champions have lost six of their last eight games across all competitions. During this period, Haaland has managed to score just three goals.
After Manchester City lost 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield, Van der Vaart slammed Haaland for not being able to influence the game.
“Take away his pace, I see Erling Haaland as a normal player. Technique-wise, he’s not good enough and he can get away with it when City are on form but not when they’re struggling. I just think he is missing something that those top, top strikers have,” the former Real Madrid midfielder said on The Lineup.
“I might get criticised for that opinion, but I don’t see him (Haaland) at the same level as the top strikers I played with like Ruud van Nistelrooy. Manchester City need Erling Haaland at the moment, but where is he? That’s why he’s not among that select few world-class strikers,” he added.
Haaland joined Manchester City in July 2022 from Borussia Dortmund. Since shifting his base to England, the Norwegian forward has registered 107 goals and 15 assists in 118 appearances across all competitions. He currently remains the second-highest scorer in the ongoing Premier League with 12 goals after Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
Van der Vaart further expressed his discontent over Manchester City’s transfer business over this summer. According to him, the team appears to be exhausted after winning four Premier League titles in a row.
“I think the intensity that Man City have shown under Pep Guardiola for so many seasons is over. They look very tired to me. You can see it in their faces, Kevin De Bruyne for example, they’re not fresh anymore,” Van der Vaart said.
“They need a rebuild. I do not say they need to get rid of Pep, no chance. I believe in his coaching methods but they need to get their transfers right. Ilkay Gundogan was not what they needed in the summer,” he added.
Manchester City faced Nottingham Forest in their last Premier League game at home. Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku scored for the hosts to ensure a dominant 3-0 victory.
Guardiola’s men now hold the fourth spot in the league standings with 26 points.
