Wolves defender Max Kilman provided insight into Erling Haaland’s playing style, highlighting his patience on the field. Kilman noted that Haaland doesn’t mind going without the ball for extended periods, which can be a unique quality for a striker.
While Haaland had a quiet game against Wolves, making minimal contributions to Manchester City’s performance, his ability to respond to questions about his goal threat and involvement in matches is well-documented. When doubts arise about his performance, he often answers them emphatically. Last season, his longest goalless streak was five games, including high-stakes matches like a Champions League semi-final and a final.
In summary, Haaland’s occasional dips in form tend to be short-lived. RB Leipzig, who face him this week, will remember how he turned the tables on them last season. After Leipzig kept him quiet in the first leg of their last-16 tie, Haaland scored five goals against them in just 35 minutes in the return leg at the Etihad.
This season, Haaland has already scored eight goals in nine appearances across all competitions, including a hat-trick against Fulham. While there have been discussions about trying Julian Alvarez up top, it’s essential to recognize that Haaland’s numbers aren’t in decline.
In the recent Wolves game, Haaland faced tight marking and a lack of space to exploit, which limited his impact. Kevin De Bruyne’s absence has also affected City’s creativity in the middle, as the partnership between De Bruyne and Haaland was highly productive last season.
Despite occasional dips in form, suggesting that Haaland is merely a “flat-track bully” is unfounded. His consistent threat on the field is well-acknowledged, and Leipzig will undoubtedly be wary of his prowess as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League group game.
Max Kilman recognized Haaland’s quality, describing him as one of the best in the world who understands Manchester City’s style of play and poses a significant threat with his power and movement. Wolves may have provided a blueprint for dealing with Haaland, but executing such a plan is another challenge altogether.