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After 10 goals in his opening five Premier League games, Haaland has only scored two goals in the last eight league matches
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, has faced criticism from former Ajax and Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who believes the Norwegian should not be considered world class.
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With Manchester City struggling for form and Haaland’s goal tally drying up in recent weeks, van der Vaart has sparked a debate about the Norwegian's standing among the world’s elite forwards.
Haaland labelled a normal player
Haaland’s electric start to the Premier League season—10 goals in his first five games—has fizzled out, with just two goals in his last eight appearances.
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Speaking to TALKSport, van der Vaart raised questions about Haaland’s technical abilities, suggesting his success relies heavily on his physical attributes.
“I always said that take away his pace, I think he’s a normal player. Technically wise, I think it’s normally not good enough. He scored a lot of goals, but it misses something to talk about world class strikers,” van der Vaart remarked.
The Dutchman even went as far as to compare Haaland unfavourably to legendary strikers of the past, saying, “When you compare him to, in the past, van Basten or van Nistelrooy, I don’t think so [that Haaland belongs in that company].”
Van der Vaart blames Pep for Manchester City’s struggles
Manchester City’s current run of six losses in seven games across all competitions has only added to the scrutiny facing the Norwegian.
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The Dutch ex-midfielder’s remarks come amid suggestions that Manchester City’s players may be “Pep tired,” as van der Vaart described it, implying that Pep Guardiola’s intense style and tactical demands could be wearing on the squad.
Speaking about their current struggles, the ex-Real Madrid star said, “I think the players are Pep tired. The pep talk doesn’t work anymore.
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“The intensity is over. Normally, they had special players in the midfield who could do something special like De Bruyne, but you can see it in their faces; they are not fresh anymore.”
After four losses on the bounce in the league, Pep Guardiola’s side will be hoping to turn the tide when they take on
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