Manchester City have an Erling Haaland ‘problem’ that they created | OneFootball

This isn’t an article to say Erling Haaland needs to be more involved in games. It isn’t an article to say Haaland needs to offer more. No, it’s more a look at the striker situation at Manchester City. Which is Erling Haaland and Erling Haaland alone. That’s the issue Manchester City created when they sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid without signing a replacement. The Erling Haaland ‘problem’ City now have is one they themselves created.

When Julian Alvarez made his move to Atletico Madrid last summer it left the champions with only one recognised striker. That is Haaland. After pocketing a club-record transfer fee of £82 million for Alvarez, as reported by Sky Sports, the champions decided against signing a backup for their star striker. It looked to be a decision that could place a heavy burden on Haaland’s shoulders. Typically the Norwegian international would thrive under such conditions. At the beginning of the season, it appeared that it would as he began the 24/25 season banging in the goals. But now, as the season becomes a grind, it is beginning to look like a poor decision by Manchester City.

READ MORE: City player ratings from Manchester City’s 4-1 defeat to Sporting.

Haaland has begun to look like he is struggling physically with the amount of games he is being forced to play. Manchester City’s injury situation has played a major hand in this. With players such as Oscar Bobb out, Haaland is now left carrying a heavy burden for Pep Guardiola’s side. Haaland’s injury record is well known, and with him being forced to play so many games, the risk of him being injured is rising. That’s where Julian Alvarez was so important to Manchester City during his time at the club. He could give Haaland the rest he needs and also add his own unique attributes to Pep Guardiola’s side. That option is now gone.

It is also beginning to look like Haaland is the only major goal threat for the champions. If he isn’t scoring goals, Pep Guardiola’s side looks devoid of other attacking options. If Haaland has a game like he did last night against Sporting then his team suffers. On another night Erling Haaland could’ve had a hat trick. But a combination of desperate defending, quality goalkeeping and poor finishing kept Haaland at bay in the first half. It didn’t get any better in the second half for Haaland as he missed a second-half penalty. But that is the life of a striker, those games can happen to the very best. However, Manchester City do suffer when Haaland has an off night. That was clear to see last night against Sporting.

But now it seems that Manchester City are paying the price for not buying a striker to provide cover for Erling Haaland. City’s decision not to sign another striker last summer did appear to be fraught with risk. Now that risk looks to be one that hasn’t paid off. Of course, that opinion could all change when Haaland scores his next hat trick but you do feel City now have an Erling Haaland ‘problem’ that they themselves created. It does appear that in January they must buy another striker to provide cover for Haaland. Whether or not they do that is another subject entirely.