Joleon Lescott has said that teams have found a way to curb Manchester City goalscorer Erling Haaland this season.
Speaking to TNT Sports after City’s 3-1 win against RB Leipzig, he gave his two cents on the £51 million (Sky Sports) man’s struggles in front of goal recently.
Joleon Lescott believes that while Erling Haaland has been anything but figured out, opposition defences have found how to limit his impact.
Joleon Lescott says teams have found a way to tame Erling Haaland
Against the likes of West Ham United and Red Star Belgrade, and at times against RB Leipzig as well, the Norwegian striker, branded as ‘elite’ by The Athletic was guilty of not taking his chances.
While he remains the Premier League’s top scorer with eight goals this campaign, Haaland, described as an ‘unbelievable footballer’ by Grealish has not been as clinical a finisher so far.
Joleon Lescott believes this has to do with opposition backlines finding a way to tame Erling Haaland.
“I think now what I’m seeing is every time he goes into the box, someone’s there and attaching themselves to him”, he said.
“I think before, last season, he was able to find space wherever he went in the box and teams weren’t really respecting his presence in there. But now they’re aware that the ball tends to fall to him. So just be close to him and all of a sudden, you’re able to compete.”
Erling Haaland is only human
Joleon Lescott makes a fair point but even if it might be hard to believe, Erling Haaland is not a cyborg.
Like any striker, the 23-year-old has been culpable of being wasteful in front of goal and that’s that really.
It is also worth emphasising that in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence, a lot of the chance creation has been supplied from wide areas, despite not a single player at Manchester City being as efficient with their final passes as the Belgian from these positions.
This has not made life any easier for Haaland but at this point, doubt him at your own peril.
