Erling Haaland Struggles to Meet High Standards Despite Key Contribution in City's Win

Posted : 16 September 2024

Erling Haaland, at just 24 years old, has set remarkable standards in his career, but last Saturday's performance against Brentford appeared underwhelming compared to his usual exploits. Prior to the match, Haaland had scored seven goals in three games, including two hat-tricks, boasting an impressive average of 2.66 goals per game. However, against Brentford, he scored just once in the 32nd minute, falling short of his season averages. Despite this, his goal helped Manchester City come back from an early deficit and secure a perfect record with four wins from four games.

Haaland's appearance on Saturday was unexpected, as he had received permission to sit out following the death of a family friend and mentor. Nonetheless, the Norwegian striker chose to play, using football as a means to cope with his grief. According to City manager Pep Guardiola, Haaland's talent and determination were key to the team's success, and his presence on the pitch proved difficult to replace. In just two seasons, Haaland has become a Premier League sensation, scoring 99 goals in 103 appearances for Manchester City and outperforming legendary strikers like Alan Shearer, Harry Kane, and Thierry Henry.

The expectations surrounding Haaland are enormous, with many assuming he will score multiple goals in every match. His fresh legs, having not participated in the Euros, make him a formidable opponent for any defense. Since the start of the season, no team in the Premier League has matched Haaland's goal-scoring record, reinforcing his dominance in the league. Commentators, such as former England striker Gary Lineker, praise his physical attributes, consistency, and resilience, describing him as a player unafraid to miss chances, knowing that more opportunities will come.

However, Haaland's performances in high-stakes matches have drawn some criticism. Despite his prolific goal-scoring record, his impact in crucial games, particularly against top Premier League teams and in the Champions League, has been questioned. Last season, his contributions were limited in key fixtures, including the Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid and the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United. His failure to lead Norway to the Euros further fueled speculation that Haaland still has a weak point in his otherwise stellar career.

City's success without Haaland has also raised eyebrows, with the team winning a higher percentage of games when he wasn't on the pitch last season. Nevertheless, Guardiola firmly supports the young striker, emphasizing that Haaland's lack of goals in certain matches is more a reflection of the team's overall play than a personal failing. Haaland's high standards have made any perceived shortcomings seem magnified, but his ability to terrorize defenses and his undeniable talent place him at the pinnacle of modern football.

As the season progresses, Haaland is determined to continue his goal-scoring spree and silence any remaining critics. Recently voted Premier League Player of the Month for August, he also faces pressure on the international stage, particularly after a disappointing draw against Kazakhstan. However, with two more goals, Haaland will become the greatest scorer in Norwegian football history. His relentless pace and ability to dominate on the field suggest that Haaland's best years are still ahead, and he remains a force to be reckoned with both domestically and internationally.

Erling Haaland Struggles to Meet High Standards Despite Key Contribution in City's Win

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