Rafael van der Vaart, the former Tottenham playmaker, has stirred up controversy by claiming that Manchester City’s striker, Erling Haaland, isn’t a world-class player.
Despite Haaland’s impressive goal-scoring record since arriving in the Premier League, Van der Vaart feels the Norwegian’s contributions fall short of the elite strikers of the past.
Haaland’s Incredible Start and Recent Struggles
Haaland has been a scoring machine since joining Manchester City, with 107 goals in 117 appearances.
His first season was nothing short of remarkable as he helped City secure a Treble, and he repeated his Golden Boot success in his second season.
However, this season, Haaland’s form has dipped, with only 12 goals in 13 games.
City’s poor results, including a 2-0 loss to Liverpool, have left them trailing in the Premier League by 11 points, and Haaland has been unable to score during this winless run.
Van der Vaart Questions Haaland’s Technical Ability
Van der Vaart didn’t hold back during his appearance on talkSPORT’s The LineUp with BetMGM.
He argued that while Haaland’s pace makes him a dangerous player, his technical skills are lacking when compared to the greats.
“Take away his pace, and I think he’s a normal player,” Van der Vaart remarked.
He expressed that Haaland’s technical abilities are “normally not good enough” to be considered world-class, despite his goal-scoring feats.
The former midfielder emphasized that Haaland’s role in City’s possession-heavy play isn’t enough to elevate him to the level of the truly exceptional strikers in football history.
Comparing Haaland to Dutch Legends
Van der Vaart went even further, contrasting Haaland with Dutch legends Marco Van Basten and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, stating that Haaland doesn’t belong in the same category.
“When you compare him to Van Basten or Van Nistelrooy – no, no, no, no,” he insisted.
Even when pressed further, Van der Vaart stuck to his stance, asserting, “I don’t think so. People will laugh, but that is my opinion.”
Haaland’s Declining Form and City’s Struggles
Haaland started the season strong with 10 goals in his first five Premier League games, but his form has since waned as Manchester City’s struggles have deepened.
With pundits already writing off their title chances, Haaland’s inability to perform against top defenders, like his quiet showing against Virgil van Dijk in the Liverpool defeat, has raised questions about his impact when City are not at their best.
A Chance for Haaland to Prove Himself
Despite the criticism, Haaland will have a chance to silence his doubters, including Van der Vaart, when City take on Nottingham Forest in their upcoming match.
As Manchester City seeks to recover from their recent slump, all eyes will be on Haaland to see if he can rediscover his scoring form and lead his team back to winning ways.
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