Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is perhaps going through his toughest moment at the club right now.
The 23-year-old has failed to score in City’s last three matches.
For other players, that is a totally normally stretch of games to not score.
For Haaland, it classes as something of a mini-drought.
But prior to this period, Haaland did score eight goals for City, so people don’t need to be too concerned.
And City fans will be relieved to learn that Haaland was back among the goals for Norway on Thursday, scoring a brace against Cyprus. This led to praise from Martin Odegaard, who said he is the best striker in the world.
Hopefully he’ll get back into form for City after the international break, but Sky pundit Steve Sidwell believes he is cutting a frustrated figure right now…
Steve Sidwell shares what he’s noticed watching Erling Haaland for Manchester City recently
Haaland was a topic of conversation on Soccer Saturday, despite there being no Premier League football this weekend.
The question was whether teams have now ‘worked out’ Haaland, and are finding it easier to nullify him.
Sidwell noted that some defenders have had real success against him recently, and said of the star: “I covered him against West Ham, and he ended up getting a goal in that game. Created chances, missed a few good chances as well.
“The thing I’ve noticed about him of late, is his body language. (Frustrated?) Yeah, he looks very, very frustrated. Even in games. Even in the game now, he is getting a little bit frustrated by players he’s used to putting it on a plate for him. And he’s missing good chances himself that he should be tucking away as well.”
Haaland will be fine
Haaland is indeed cutting a frustrated figure at the moment, but it’s totally normal.
He’s an elite striker, and he has just seen his level drop off slightly so of course he’s going to be frustrated about that.
But Haaland – who cost £51 million – will come through this little period.
He’s likely not going to match the numbers he put up last season, because that was a truly special feat.
But Haaland will rediscover his mojo again soon. He is too good a player and he’ll be determined to turn things around.
