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One trick pony: How Manchester City star Erling Haaland can be stopped


When it comes to consistency of goals scored, no other striker delivers like Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland. The Norwegian's an extraordinary player, a poacher of goals that should be the model for future strikers. 

The Norwegian star is currently the quickest player in Premier League history to score 50 league goals, shattering Andrew Cole's previous record by 17 games after scoring the opening goal in Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Liverpool. 

His conversion rate is bone chilling and definitely worrisome for opposition coaches who always seems confused on what must be done to stop Haaland. Stopping the 23-year-old is hard but possible. 

Fact; Haaland do not score goals outside the 18-yard box. Since joining Manchester City from Borrusia Dortmund, Haaland has only managed to shoot 10 times outside the box and scored just once. 

Why? He is an instinctive goal poacher whose short burst opens up space for him to shoot accurately to goal. His biggest strength is that he is always in front of the centre backs. 

His electrifying burst of pace in the final third makes it very hard to mark him. While in full throttle, he knows how to control the ball much quicker than anyone before shooting. 

All he needs is three touches (collect the pass, control the ball and shoot to goal). 

Haaland does not play to impress anyone, nor does he care about dribbling past players before shooting. His mindset is all about finding the right space inside the box to receive the ball and shoot. 

But to stop him, the defenders must be ready to bully him. Keep him rattled and the petulance in him will unveil. 

Secondly, the midfield must restrict the passage of flow to him. Cut off any ball Bernando Silva, Jeremy Doku, De Bruyne, Rodrior whoever is trying to trade to him by playing the low block.

Erling strongly depends on exceptionally gifted midfielders to create something for him to work with. Without City's superstars, he will struggle. 

Norway is yet to play in a major tournament because they do not have players like Bernando Silva or De Bruyne to feed Haaland. 

Keeping Haaland quiet will always be difficult especially in a club like Manchester City brimming with superstars. But it's possible to restrict the number of shoots he takes. 

Once Haaland is restricted, Manchester City suffers.  


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