Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland had a bad day at the office in his team’s 1-all draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. Haaland could’ve had a massive impact on the game but his deadly finishing let him down on the day. But given his quality and mental strength he will likely respond when City need him the most such is the talent and drive possessed by City’s star striker.
Since arriving at the Etihad Erling Haaland has set about redefining the standards of goal scoring. He has scored 73 goals in 80 appearances and his goal-scoring feats have seen him become arguably the best number 9 in world football. But given his exceptionally high standards in front of goal it becomes a story when he doesn’t score. That’s part of the pressure that comes with being Erling Haaland. The wash-up of his performance against Chelsea is a by-product of this.
City’s star striker missed several gilt-edged chances to score in yesterday’s pulsating draw with Chelsea. It was an unusual sight to see the Norwegian international miss such chances. But like all great players one bad game doesn’t define Haaland. Given his will and drive he will be counted upon to respond to yesterday’s poor performance and respond when his team needs him the most. Given his record at Manchester City, it’s a given that Haaland will be determined to make amends for yesterday’s performance when he next takes the pitch for City.
Guardiola backs Haaland to respond
Speaking post game Pep Guardiola was backing his star striker to respond in City’s next match. He also reminded everyone that despite Haaland’s goal-scoring record he is human. The City boss was quick to add that he isn’t the man to give Haaland advice about goal scoring given his record as a player. Guardiola said: “Next time he’s going to score. I was a football player and I played 11 years and scored 11 goals. One goal a season. These are my stats. So I’m not a proper man to give advice about the striker and what they have to do. We create the chances, he had the chances and in the next game, he is going to score. Absolutely (I believe that). It’s football, he’s a human being.”
There was also the human element to Haaland’s performance yesterday. As reported by the Daily Mail Haaland has been grieving the loss of his grandmother. It would no doubt have affected the performance of City’s star striker and it is admirable that he was on the pitch under such trying personal circumstances.
Yesterday’s performance wasn’t Haaland’s best by his lofty standards. It was also a reminder that he is human and not a robot as he so often appears to be in front of goal.
City’s star striker cut a forlorn figure at the final whistle after he spurned several chances to make a match-winning impact against Chelsea. But he will be there when his team needs him the most as they seek to defend the treble this season. His career record suggests that.
While yesterday was a bad day for Haaland and Manchester City the fact that he will be determined to make amends for it may work in City’s favour going forward.
