Pep Guardiola has come to Erling Haaland’s defense amidst criticism surrounding the Manchester City striker’s recent performances.
After lackluster showings against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Real Madrid, pundits such as Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane have openly criticized Haaland’s contribution to the team. Keane went as far as likening his style of play to that of a ‘League Two player’.
Guardiola reiterated his support for Haaland following renewed criticism after City’s draw with Madrid. He emphasized Haaland’s positive impact on the team, highlighting his ability to create space and contribute significantly since joining last season.
“They [the pundits] do whatever they want. That is not a problem. They have an opinion, I have an opinion and it doesn’t matter if it is right or wrong. If I give an opinion it looks like I want to criticise the pundits but I don’t. We can agree or disagree.
“We are quite similar to last season – we scored four goals, four goals and three goals in the last three games, 11 goals in three games and Erling helped us score some of them by creating spaces for the others to score the goals.
“I saw in his face and in what he said after the game in the locker room [after Madrid] he was extremely happy.
“The target is not the Ballon d’Or, the target is to win trophies and he did. Would we have won five trophies last year without him? Not a chance.”
Guardiola’s remarks followed Keane’s reaffirmation of his comparison between Haaland and a League Two player.
“I don’t know what the big deal is, I give praise every week, I give praise, and I think he’s an amazing striker,” Keane said before adding: “But his general play is that of a League Two player. And I’m glad you are not agreeing with me, I don’t expect people to agree with me.
“His general play, week in, week out is nowhere near good enough. As a goalscorer and a striker, the best – and I said that. His link-up play, the way he lays the ball off, sometimes the options he gives his teammates or the options he doesn’t give them – as a striker and a goalscorer the best in the world, but his other play is that of a League Two player.”
Credit: 90Min
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