Haaland’s Progression Hindered by Guardiola’s Philosophy? Former Man City Player Raises Concerns
Despite his goal return, Didi Hamann is sceptical that Erling Haaland is the perfect player for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.
Haaland has made a significant impression in the Premier League and seems certain to break numerous goalscoring records this season.
Despite his 32-goal return in 32 games, numerous analysts and fans have questioned whether Man City are getting the most out of him.
Hamann is still unsure that Haaland is the proper player for Guardiola’s flowing system.
“With Haaland in the team, they [City] don’t dominate teams as they used to do,” Hamann told talkSPORT. “They used to suffocate teams with possession, creating chances.
“The thing that worries me is that with Haaland – and the game at the weekend where they were winning and the same happened yesterday – when they play on the counter attack and are able to use his pace, they can’t get him in the game.
“That what worries me most at the moment about City.”
It is worth mentioning that City’s average Premier League possession has decreased somewhat this season with Haaland in the lineup.
They averaged 68.2% last season, and 64.8% this season, which is still the highest in the league.
“It’s debatable whether he makes the team better. He’s a terrific player, and he’s already demonstrated that,” the former Manchester City midfielder continued.
“Last season, when everyone said he’s going to City, I said ‘he’s not going to go to City because Haaland is everything City’s not’.
“You might say he’s the missing piece of the puzzle, but he’s used to playing football in Salzburg and Dortmund, which is vastly different from the one City plays.
“It’s simply not conceivable because Guardiola’s mentality is to pass the ball, to suffocate teams with possession and dominance, and they simply won’t do it with him because half the time I watch him, it’s like playing with 10 men.”
Jamie Carragher had a similar take on Haaland, claiming that Man City aren’t getting the most out of him due of the manner they play.
“I think we’re only seeing 60% of Erling Haaland right now,” Carragher stated on Sky Sports. “He’s come from Borussia Dormund and a counter-attacking league where it’s end-to-end, you see that scorching pace he’s got, but we don’t see it [here].
“He may have chosen the wrong club to bring out the best in him. We haven’t seen everything Erling Haaland has to offer.”
Guardiola’s team will be eager to get back to winning ways in their next Premier League match against Bournemouth.
They are now two points behind Arsenal in the Premier League, with the Gunners having a game in hand.
