Erling Haaland showcased his unparalleled goalscoring prowess yesterday. In a stunning display against Wolves, the Norwegian dynamo netted an impressive 4 goals, propelling Pep Guardiola & Co. to a resounding 5-1 victory. This feat not only solidified his position as the Premier League’s leading goal-scorer with a total of 25 goals but also left spectators in awe of his sheer talent. Yet, despite this remarkable performance, a pundit suggests that Haaland still has untapped potential, with the key being to ‘put the ball in behind.‘

During the ESPN FC show, Ale Moreno raised a thought-provoking point about Pep Guardiola’s utilization of Haaland. He said, “I think it’s key to make the distinction of playing through Erling Haaland or actually putting him in behind.” He says Manchester City is not pushing the opposition’s backline enough. Consequently, this is impacting Haaland’s efficiency in games.

Per Ale Moreno, the trick is to put some through balls in behind. This would bring Erling Haaland in a 50-50 challenge with defenders, which he’s strong enough to dominate. However, this is not what’s currently happening at Manchester City. The pundit explained, “He’ll give the run and they don’t give him the ball. So by the third or fourth time, he’s like well I’m not giving you the run anymore because I’m not getting the ball. Feed the beast, man. Put the ball in behind.” Haaland has never been denied goalscoring chances playing in the Pep Guardiola way. The striker broke the league’s goalscoring record last year. However, there have been claims that his general play worsened under the Spanish manager.

Haaland’s “general play” has been affected by Pep Guardiola’s tactics, per pundit

Very few in soccer can match up to Pep Guardiola when it comes to tactics. However, Stewart Robinson of ESPN FC added that the Spaniard’s tactics have worsened Haaland. He said, “Manchester City likes to play short passes, play through the lines and getting into wide areas and then get crosses in, which suits his goalscoring, but his general play I think has been worse at Man City than it was at Borussia Dortmund.”

Notably, Robinson is not the only one who is unhappy with Haaland’s general play. Manchester United icon Roy Keane likened the Norwegian’s overall game to that of a League Two level player. The difference here was that Keane never blamed Pep Guardiola’s tactics for the same. Regardless, do you think Guardiola’s tactics have made Haaland worse? Let us know your view in the comments below.

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