Erling Haaland is on an unexpected goal drought for Manchester City. The Norway forward was the top-scorer in the Premier League and Europe last season, scoring a staggering 52 goals in 53 games and overperforming his xG of 41.72 by some distance. However, the Norwegian hasn’t scored for City in his last 3 games which has led to considerable criticism in the media. But a former England Women’s soccer star has lept to his defense, citing critical aspects of his gameplay.

Haaland did score a brace in Norway’s 4-0 win over Cyprus recently but faced heartbreak when Norway failed to qualify for Euro 2024 after losing 1-0 to Spain. This was despite the Norwegian frontman equalling Gerd Muller’s record for Germany. But as per her recent comments former Lioness Lianne Sanderson has backed Haaland stating that people only question the Norwegian “when he doesn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”

Erling Haaland defended by former England player Lianne Sanderson

Speaking on TalkSport’s podcast with Hugh Woozencroft, former England Women’s player Lianne Sanderson lept to Erling Haaland’s defense stating that the City frontman is still world-class and that there’s only an outcry in the media when he doesn’t score. On the podcast, Sanderson said, “Let’s be honest Haaland has an off game every now and again, people then come after him and say oh last year I remember they were saying is Haaland the problem. I love Erling Haaland, I think he’s a top player.”

“We know he doesn’t touch the ball that much. He touched the ball 11 times in one game last year and scored a hattick! So a lot of emphasis is always on, oh he’s not touching the ball enough. Pep Guardiola doesn’t care if he puts the ball in the back of the net that’s when people start to question it when he doesn’t put the ball in the back of the net,” she added.

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Sanderson, who played for both Arsenal and Chelsea during her playing days, further commented that her former club Arsenal could go all the way and win the Premier League after the Gunners beat Man City 1-0 at the Emirates in their last game. However, City ace Haaland is in contention for the Ballon d’Or this year, but rather surprisingly, his teammate Rodri has not backed the Norway ace to win the award.

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Rodri backs Messi to win Ballon d’Or ahead of the Norway striker

In a rather surprising turn of events, Man City and Spain midfielder Rodri has backed Lionel Messi to pick up the Ballon d’Or ahead of Erling Haaland despite the duo being teammates at the Etihad.

In a recent interview, as reported on X, Rodri said, “Who’s going to win the Ballon d’Or? For me, I think Lionel Messi is going to win it.” Rodri, of course, shares a great understanding with Haaland on the pitch for City, so perhaps these comments come as a significant surprise.

Both Rodri and Haaland went up against each other in Spain’s clash against Norway in the Euro 2024 qualifiers recently, as La Roja beat Haaland’s Norway 1-0 to qualify for the tournament in Germany next year. Considering Norway is effectively out of contention for the Euros next year, it seems as though it’s back to concentrating on his club season for Haaland as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City look to defend their treble from last season.

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