Despite scoring 21 goals in the Premier League, Erling Haaland has been criticised for not being an all-round forward. This has led to the assertion that he offers nothing besides the goals. This criticism is not only ridiculous but ludicrous at the same time.
A striker’s identity card is goals, he is adjudged by the number of goals he has scored. Haaland has outscored every player in the top-flight leagues in Europe and that is why he was brought in by Pep Guardiola. He was bought by City to score goals and that he has done in abundance. Haaland has more goals than appearances in the Premier League, this is gigantic!
The assists, key passes and other metrics are just secondary. When you talk about Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and other great forwards, you remember the ridiculous amount number of goals they have scored before any other thing.
Let me burst your bubble. It will interest you to know that Haaland has 3 assists this season, the same as Ivan Toney, more than Harry Kane and Aleksander Mitrovic, the other most in-form forwards in the Premier League. Indeed, he doesn’t contribute anything beyond goals.
Per Fbref.com, Haaland averages more assists per game and more expected assiststhan an average striker in the top-flight leagues in Europe in the last year. This is another indication of how ridiculous is it to call him a mere goal merchant.
While Haaland is not the best dribbler or a player who is more involved in the build-up, he is the best at what he does which is scoring goals. Trying to criticise him holds no water if he continues to score at this alarming rate.
Not every player will be Lionel Messi, the most complete forward in the 21st century, to criticize Haaland based on what he does not do while ignoring what he does best is ridiculous.
It is also important to add that players play to the instruction of their manager. Pep Guardiola wants Haaland to be at the end of chances and not heavily involved in the build-up. We did not see the playmaking side of Harry Kane until Jose Mourinho became Tottenham’s manager. Therefore, a player is as good as what he is allowed to do by the manager.
In conclusion, the criticism of Haaland is just a desperate attempt to belittle the brilliance of the young man. He is shattering goalscoring records and will continue to do that. Therefore at the end of his career, nobody would remember that he could not do this or that, he will forever be remembered for the ridiculous amount of goals he would have scored if he continues scoring at this rate.
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