“Technique-Wise, He’s Not Good Enough” – Rafael van der Vaart Questions Erling Haaland’s Abilities Amid Manchester City’s Struggles

Dutch football pundit and former Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart has sparked debate with his latest comments about Erling Haaland. Speaking on The LineUp Show, Van der Vaart claimed that without his pace, Haaland is just an ordinary player, lacking the technical ability that truly elite strikers possess. His remarks come at a time when Manchester City and Haaland are both under scrutiny.

Van der Vaart didn’t hold back in his assessment of Haaland, questioning whether the Norwegian striker deserves to be mentioned among the game’s best. He pointed out that Haaland’s game relies heavily on his speed and physicality, which can mask other weaknesses.

“Take away his pace, and I see Erling Haaland as a normal player,” Van der Vaart said. “Technique-wise, he’s not good enough. He can get away with it when City are on form but not when they’re struggling. I just think he’s missing something that those top, top strikers have.”

The former Dutch international went on to compare Haaland to legendary strikers like Ruud van Nistelrooy, suggesting Haaland falls short of that level. “I might get criticized for that opinion, but I don’t see him at the same level as the top strikers I played with, like Ruud van Nistelrooy. Manchester City need Haaland at the moment, but where is he? That’s why he’s not among that select few world-class strikers.”

Haaland’s recent form has been underwhelming by his high standards. He hasn’t scored in his last two Premier League games, coinciding with Manchester City’s struggles. The reigning champions are currently enduring their worst run of results under Pep Guardiola, having gone winless in seven matches across all competitions and losing four consecutive league games.

This slump has raised questions about City’s reliance on Haaland and whether Guardiola’s tactics need adjusting to get the best out of the Norwegian star. Critics, including Van der Vaart, argue that Haaland thrives when the team is performing well but struggles to influence games when City are not in top form.

Despite the criticism, Haaland’s numbers are nothing short of extraordinary. Since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in July 2022 for a reported €60 million, he has scored 107 goals and provided 14 assists in 117 appearances. This season alone, Haaland has netted 17 goals in 19 games, making him the Premier League’s top scorer with 12 goals.

These stats highlight Haaland’s importance to City, even during their current struggles. His ability to find the back of the net consistently is a key reason why many still regard him as one of the world’s best forwards.

Van der Vaart’s comments open up a broader discussion about Haaland’s role in Guardiola’s system. Haaland’s game is built around explosive runs and clinical finishing, which makes him a perfect fit for City’s attacking style when they dominate possession and create chances. However, when City face tougher opponents or go through rough patches, Haaland’s limited involvement in build-up play becomes more noticeable.

Guardiola may need to find ways to integrate Haaland more effectively, especially when City are struggling to control games. This could involve adjusting tactics to play to Haaland’s strengths or encouraging him to develop other aspects of his game, such as link-up play and dribbling.

Rafael van der Vaart’s remarks about Erling Haaland may seem harsh, but they touch on a valid point about the challenges of being a top striker . While Haaland’s goal-scoring record speaks for itself, there’s room for improvement in other areas of his game.