As another new season began for Manchester City last Sunday at Stamford Bridge a familiar tale emerged. Erling Haaland opened the scoring in City’s 2-nil win over Chelsea. It was a sublime finish from the Norwegian international. City’s star striker looks fit and hungry for a big 24/25 season. But a familiar narrative would soon emerge following City’s win. How many touches Haaland has during a game would once again be a topic of discussion.
91 goals in 100 appearances for City! 🤯@ErlingHaaland scores our first @premierleague goal of the season ✨ pic.twitter.com/QF48m0hLJp
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 18, 2024
Following City’s win a discussion emerged over how many touches or passes Haaland had throughout City’s win over Chelsea. Commentator Martin Tyler has this to say about Haaland’s game. In quotes relayed by the Sun, Tyler said: “Haaland, he’s such a good player, and he gets so few touches because of the way Manchester City play. I don’t know how he manages on this. The goals and the medals and the money all make it work – but it’s no way to play football.”
At this point the narrative surrounding how many touches Erling Haaland has in a game is pointless.
First of all the topic of how many touches Haaland has during a game isn’t a new subject. It has swirled around in the background during Haaland’s time at Manchester City. Based on Martin Tyler’s comments it will continue to follow the Norwegian international’s performances. But in essence, it is a pointless discussion. The actual impact Erling Haaland has on games renders the discussion as a pointless topic.
Erling Haaland has scored 91 goals in 100 appearances for Manchester City. He has added 15 assists in those games. That alone is a staggering statistic and one that has redefined the standards of goal-scoring. It also shows the staggering impact City’s star striker has on games.
You only need to watch Manchester City’s games to see the impact Haaland has on games with and without the ball. His finishing is lethal and the statistics highlight this. But his mere presence on the pitch intimidates Manchester City’s opponents. He is often double-marked or faces a low block as teams attempt to contain both Manchester City and the world’s best striker.
Cause of his presence players such as Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva have pockets of space to work in. That brings out their best attributes and Pep Guardiola’s side profit from Haaland’s presence on the pitch. That’s obvious. So while Haaland may not touch the ball often or as often as pundits may like he has a profound impact on games through just being on the pitch. That is another fact that renders the discussion surrounding Haaland’s touches during a game pointless.
Erling Haaland is aware of the narrative surrounding his game. But as he said himself does he need to be more involved? Speaking after Manchester City’s win over Chelsea in quotes relayed by the Daily Mail he said: “I want to get more involved, that’s what Pep wants. But in games like this, do I need to be that more involved? That’s the million-dollar question. I want to get more assists and become a better player.”
Summary
With a new season in its infancy, it looks like the same old narrative that surrounds Erling Haaland’s play will continue. But if City’s star striker continues to score goals at an eye-watering rate it will be as pointless a discussion as it has proven to be over the past two seasons. If Haaland scores goals and Pep Guardiola’s side continues to win games and trophies that’s all that matters. At the end of the day that’s what Haaland’s game should be judged on. Not on completed passes and touches over the course of 90 minutes.
