Dark clouds are hovering over Manchester City since their recent UEFA Champions League upset. The Cityzens were eliminated in the quarter-final stage by Real Madrid on penalties, with both legs ending in a 4-4 draw on aggregate. However, Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has criticized Erling Haaland for urging Pep Guardiola to substitute him during the match following full-time, asserting that the Norwegian superstar felt the need to ‘get rid of everything.’ 

Haaland wasn’t alone as Kevin De Bruyne had also made a similar request to the Spaniard. But this didn’t settle in the eyes of Nicol. Speaking for ESPN, he said, “I’m going to say the two of them were feeling something just to get rid of everything because I have never, in the history of history, heard a star player in a quarterfinal of a Champions League, want to come off.” 

The former Reds star was baffled by the fact that the City’s very own record goal scorer, whose duty is to score goals, wanted to get subbed off. “He’s the guy you want to get the ball to and he doesn’t want to play? Never heard of it in my life and if he’s not injured, what is going on in this guy’s head?” added the pundit. 

Unfortunately, the slamming didn’t end here as Nicol concluded, “Listen. I get it, Kevin De Bruyne is a different ball game but Haaland, because he’s tired? Be quiet! If I went up to one of my coaches and said ‘I’m tired,’ they would have punched me straight in the face.” Indeed, these are some bold claims from the commentator, which certainly won’t impress Haaland. There’s nothing for the striker but to improve his game. Lucky for him, Thierry Henry had some advice for the former Dortmund man. 

Thierry Henry analyzed that Erling Haaland wasn’t feeling ‘comfortable’ against Real Madrid

Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry provided insights into the striker’s game during his regular appearance on CBS Sports Golazo’s Champions League broadcast. Alongside fellow pundit Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards, Henry highlighted areas for improvement, acknowledging that Haaland’s positioning against Los Blancos showed that he ‘often doesn’t feel comfortable.’

The French World Champions suggested that the striker should position himself offside or sideways to evade defenders. By maneuvering behind the defender’s line of sight and then shifting sideways when the ball is played, the striker can create space and maintain a favorable position close to the goal. Either way, let’s hope Haaland implements this tactical advice from Henry. Failing to do so will otherwise, keep him in the critical limelight.

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What do you think of Erling Haland’s performance this season? Do you feel his substitution massively impacted the game? Let us know in the comment section below.