Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Manchester City have a player whose all-round game is quite limited.
Not many, if any City players fall into such a category.
Even the club’s youngsters, such as say, Oscar Bobb is one who such a claim cannot be made about, considering how technically sound he is, proficient in tight spaces and dynamic in a variety of zones.
Rio Ferdinand says Erling Haaland has a limited all-round game
Even Rico Lewis is anything but a limited player.
The Englishman has the potential to become a top player both as a right-back and in central midfield, which only a select few players have gone on to do, such as Philipp Lahm.
However, Rio Ferdinand has made such a claim about Erling Haaland, as he gave his thoughts on Roy Keane stating that he is “almost like a League Two player.”
“What Roy Keane said yesterday, it’s not a surprise. Division Two is a bit far-fetched. Let’s have it right. League Two player, that’s a bit far-fetched. But his all-round game has never been something anyone’s marvelled at”, he said on FIVE’s official YouTube channel.
Ferdinand continued, “I’ve never, ever sat there and thought, ‘Wow, his hold-up play is immense. He gets it in and brings other people in the game.’ His whole game was finishing, in and around the six-yard box and penalty box or running onto things when he runs on to stuff from the halfway line.”
“That’s it. His other game always needed work. How many times did we watch him earlier last season when he was on his goalscoring run, he had eight touches in the game or something. 10, 12 touches in the game.”
It seems like the opinion Rio Ferdinand has about Erling Haaland has been widely echoed since he joined Manchester City.
Erling Haaland should look to improve after hearing such criticism
Haaland might not be the most technically gifted player but it is quite rare that players of his size are and the ones who are, like Ibrahimovic, are rightly considered as one-of-a-kind players.
Regardless of whether Erling Haaland agrees or disagrees with Rio Ferdinand, he can use such claims about his game to his benefit.
Haaland could use such criticisms about his game to motivate himself and take his game up a level, which will prove priceless for City, who have seen their title hopes hang by the thread after the weekend.
Instead of viewing them as attempts to slate him, Erling Haaland should take them into consideration and improve when the ball is at his feet.
The best players tend to turn all the negative attention they get into a thing of the past as they evolve into better versions of themselves.
