Manchester City star Erling Haaland is considered one of the best strikers in the world. The Norwegian has been scoring restlessly since his joining the English side in 2022. But now, City has been told that Haaland is not an Elite striker.
‘Haaland Is Not a Top Striker,’ Says Premier League and La Liga Legend
Former Real Madrid and Tottenham legend Rafael van der Vaart said that Erling Haaland lacks the quality of a top-level striker and he only thrives when Manchester City are in good form.
“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’s missing something that those top, top strikers have. I might get criticised for that opinion, but I don’t see him 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.”
Manchester City have completed 6 games without a win, with their last 2-0 loss to Liverpool. Van der Vaart believes that the defending champions need a rebuild.
The former Premier League ace added on City’s recent struggles for consistency: “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. They need a rebuild. I’m not one who says 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.”
Haaland has scored 75 goals and assisted 13 times in just 79 Premier League games for Manchester City. He is also the current PL leader with 12 goals, one more than the Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
The Norway international has 75 goals and 13 assists in 79 Premier League appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side and currently tops the scoring charts in the English top flight for 2024-25 ahead of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
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