Erling Haaland is one of the most unique players in world football.
In an era where there is a dearth of world-class strikers, the Manchester City number nine is an elite goalscorer who possesses the brutish physical stature of centre-forwards of yesteryear while being faster than most wingers the game has ever seen.
While Wayne Rooney questioned Haaland’s heading ability, there is not much that the Norwegian international lacks in his game — which explains his success in every league he has played in.
A player of Erling Haaland’s profile may be a rarity nowadays but remains priceless as most teams in the world are in search of an out-and-out goalscorer.
Wayne Rooney, who was an incredible striker during his heyday has now analysed a key facet of Haaland’s game.
Wayne Rooney says Erling Haaland is an outlet unlike most players in world football
Rooney noted that what Haaland shares with centre-forwards such as Michael Owen, Nicolas Anelka and Andy Cole is that he runs in behind defences.
Wayne Rooney believes this very habit that Haaland possesses is extremely rare in today’s day and age where most number nines would rather be given the ball to feet.
The Manchester United legend said on The Overlap’s Fan Debate: “But I always think the forward who are unplayable are forwards who run in behind. So, Michael Owen, for a two or three year period, was unplayable, Anelka, when he was doing it, was unplayable. They’re the forwards, which defenders hate. If you’re making them run back towards their own goal and run behind, that’s what, Haaland does it quite a bit now, not as much as it used to be, but no one runs in behind anymore.”
Wayne Rooney added: “If you get someone who does that, Andy Cole used to do it, maybe not as quick as Michael Owen, but it’s timing of his runs. That’s, they’re the forwards now, which are completely gone, I think.”
“The high, the high line, people who play high line, no one runs in behind. It’s crazy, yeah.”
Pep Guardiola said only a “gun” can stop Erling Haaland at full speed
Haaland has arguably been Manchester City’s best player this season as he has still managed to score 21 goals in an injury-raved campaign and one reason behind the 24-year-old’s continued success is his movement as Wayne Rooney pointed out; with his strikes against West Ham United at the London Stadium and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium springing to mind.
Pep Guardiola claimed Haaland is “unstoppable” at full speed and only a gun is sufficient enough to catch him when he darts behind a backline.
Guardiola initially said: “He needs the team and what we need to do is build better and better to give more balls in this final third. When I think, with Rico [Lewis], with Gundo [Ilkay Gundogan], with Kevin [De Bruyne], with Bernardo [Silva], with [James] McAtee, who’s going to play. We’re going to create those situations.”
“They move really well in the small spaces, because in the transitions, the last goal or the first goal for example, Bernardo wins the ball and passes the ball and finish the goal.”
Pep Guardiola added: “With space behind, he’s unstoppable. There’s no central defender, not even with a gun, it’s impossible, he’s so fast, so powerful.”
