Playing for a club of Manchester City’s stature, even some of the best and most trophy-laden players in the world are subject to widespread criticism.
When joining a club of City’s stature in the game or any elite side for that matter, players must be aware that microanalysis will become common when it comes to their performances.
As a result, the discourse around divisive players in particular will often seem fickle.
However, that is the name of the game as a world-class player at the highest level and it is an aspect of playing at the biggest stages that players are challenged to become accustomed towards.
Otherwise, it would become easy for any new signing to succumb under the pressure of playing at the Etihad Stadium.
Tony Cascarino makes bold Erling Haaland claim ahead of Man City vs Chelsea
Erling Haaland is one player who certainly can attest to feeling like he is always in the headlines — despite being an elite striker and one of the best players in world football.
While Diogo Jota described Haaland as “scary”, several pundits seem to criticise his game.
In March this year, Roy Keane likened Haaland’s all-round game to that of a “League Two player” — despite him topping the goalscoring charts at the time.
Jamie Carragher stated on Sky Sports in February 2023 that there was a possibility that the £51 million man “picked the wrong club” to sign for as he felt his and City’s playing styles did not mesh well.
Tony Cascarino has now claimed that despite Haaland being a remarkable goalscorer, he barely effects games apart from when tasked to put the ball into the back of the net.
Journalist Jonathan Northcroft wrote a feature for The Times where he questioned the 24-year-old’s big-game record and overall game.
On talkSPORT, Cascarino agreed as he said: “I mean, for a guy that’s got a goal a game, you know Jonathan’s [Northcroft] got a point. Where is [Erling] Haaland fitting in this City team because Community Shield, I know it’s only one game but even at the end of last season, didn’t quite look the player we saw in the first season, which he was devastating.”
“I just think he doesn’t get enough of the ball. I mean, he’s been clinical. If he’s really clinical, he gets loads of goals like he did in the first season but he was still clinical enough last season to be top goalscorer and miss nearly two months of the season.”
“It’s a point of, he has such little impact in games.”
The pundit added: “I feel sorry for him because I actually think he gets so little to work with and he’s restricted in the way that City play. But you can’t argue against it because they win and they won regularly. So, the argument feels like a contradiction.”
“You sort of say, well they win and he contributes this and he ends up top goalscorer so all the argument’s are like one, where’s the other all the time? It’s really weird, the Haaland scenario. I watch him and think, he’s been on the fringe the whole game and sometimes I go, well, he’s got two goals.”
“The moment will come is if City don’t win and he doesn’t end up top goalscorer because he’s a goal machine. It’s clear as day, he’s a goal machine.”
There is too much of a focus on what Haaland cannot do
While no player in the history of football should be exempt from criticism, it is surprising how much of a focus there has been on the weaknesses Haaland possesses since his move to City in 2022.
It is also important to understand that while the Norwegian is a generational talent, he is not the finished article yet, like any 24-year-old player.
Furthermore, not many players of Haaland’s size should perhaps even be expected to have the technical fluidity in their game to emerge as a constant threat.
If the Manchester City striker’s overall game was elite as well, he would virtually be the perfect player; an impossibility from any individual across any walk of life.
While the Leeds-born striker can perhaps hold and link up play better than he currently does, in games where his all-round game is very ineffective, it is barely ever discussed by the masses.
Considering City’s season is yet to start, it is bizarre why Haaland is at the centre of negative discourse around his game once again.
If the star striker does come across Cascarino’s claim, he would perhaps be determined to disprove him with a masterful showing against Chelsea on Sunday.
It will be interesting to see how he fares against Enzo Maresca’s side.