It will take a team effort for Manchester City to get the best out of their number 9 | OneFootball

Earlier this week, I posed the question: do Manchester City have an Erling Haaland problem, or is the problem Haaland’s lack of service? For me, if City create the chances for Haaland, he will score. It’s as simple as that. Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa Pep Guardiola has echoed those sentiments.

Speaking ahead of his team’s crucial match against Aston Villa Pep Guardiola told the media that Erling Haaland is irreplaceable. He told the media: “Erling is irreplaceable. Of course we need all the best version of them, no just one specific player. I would be so selfish in that position; I said many times if it was just playing one specific player the decision would be easy. It’s not about that.”

Guardiola also explained that his team needs to create the chances and space for City’s number 9 to prosper. He further explained when asked about the prospect of playing with a false 9 to give Haaland a rest: “I prefer to play with Erling… I didn’t think in the situation not to play Erling, absolutely not. I always played false nine for the quality specific to the players I had in that moment. I love to play man-to-man, but with Erling, I can’t do that. Erling is doing well. The reason why maybe he’s not productive [as normal] is that we don’t produce the amount of chances that we are able to do in the past. He’s surrounded by three four centre backs so it’s not easy for him we have to create more chances and create more spaces for him.”

Erling Haaland could do more but it will take a team effort to create the service he needs to thrive.

Across Manchester City’s run of one win in eleven games the goals have dried up. Whether that’s for Erling Haaland or Manchester City in general. Pep Guardiola’s side has struggled to create chances, and on the occasions they have arrived, they have failed to take them. Erling Haaland has been no exception to this. On this front, Haaland could do more. He could also add more energy to his play, although he has had a heavy workload to carry. Perhaps we will see more energy from City’s number 9 as he has had time to rest for once. That remains to be seen.

But for Haaland and Manchester City to prosper they must create chances and space for him. Pep Guardiola is on the money there. If City’s midfield can’t create anything for Haaland to feast on he is effectively neutralized. Plus, if players can make runs into the box, it will open up space for Haaland to do what he does best. That is the challenge for Manchester City today when they take on Aston Villa later today.

Erling Haaland needs service to thrive. That has always been the case. The fact that is has dried up is a factor in City’s poor run of form. If Pep Guardiola’s side can get this side of their game back then Erling Haaland will score heavily again. That’s the challenge for Manchester City as look to turn around their recent fortunes.