Is Manchester City better off without Erling Haaland? | ESPN FC Extra Time

While I wouldn't say City is better without Haaland, it seems like KDB's prescense in the lineup is more crucial for their success than Haaland's.

People need to realize that Brighton played very open tonight. Which virtually no other team aside from Liverpool does against City. Instead, opponents typically sit in extreme low blocks against City in their defensive third and neutralize both Alvarez and Halaand by giving neither of them any space in which to operate. Luton attempted to play open against City in the FA Cup and not only got destroyed 6-2 but Haaland put up 5 goals because he actually had tons of room in which to operate. People need to actually understand tactics before blindly bashing players, not just Halaand. Because virtually nobody has even bothered to mention that Alvarez only scored his 2nd goal today since January despite playing over 1,000 minutes since then. Teams have adapted to Alvarez as well, not just Halaand. And that is why people “who know” know that playing toe to toe in open space like both Luton and Brighton did is exactly why virtually nobody else does it.

The problem with Haaland is that he’s not diverse. Take him away and he can’t get involved in a game like a Kane or Benzema in his prime. Strikers need to be able to do more than stand in front of the net and wait. Especially if you get shut down.

Haaland may not have scored a lot of goals this season. But his present forced the opponent to send at least 2 defenders on him that freed up a lot of room for the other teammates

No He’s still an amazing finisher and he’s a great decoy He’s the top scorer in the prem for Gods sake

Enough with this Haaland narrative. He’s 23 years old and the best striker in the world. He’s only gonna get better. He broke every single record in his first season in the prem so the standards are so high for him if he doesn’t score a hat trick a game on only 3 touches then it’s considered a bad game for him. He will be a legend of this game mark my words

It’s silly to think Man City are better off without Haaland. Literally won the treble in his first season! It’s not just what he does for Man City, it’s also about how he forces the other team to play differently

Every team would be better with Haaland…

If City don't want him there's a lot of rich clubs that would take Haaland without hesitation. Silly question

Haaland is already suffering from his own greatness lol.. The guy is the leading scorer in the league while apparently being trash. I can't imagine how Ronaldo and Messi put up with this sort of nonsense their entire careers. Must be exhausting.

Man City can be great with OR without Haaland. Yes he’s only 23 years old, however he’s had plenty of games where he does not show up in big games. It’s time to step up. Not asking for him to break any scoring records, but atleast show up in big games! He’s not the best striker in the world anymore. He’s definitely maybe top 5. But he’s slowly getting further from being the best striker.

Stats prove that they are better no doubt. They struggle to breakdown teams with Haaland in it because of Haaland's poor teamplay movement and technical control, he gets easily isolated by and harassed by strong defenders thereby making Man city look as if they are playing with only 10 man.

In today's game, City were playing horrible in the 2nd half and had no offense until Haaland came on, first touch of the game leads to their first chance of the half... then he eventually scores. Anyone that thinks City is better without him is absolutely clueless. First treble and first UCL when he joins the club, that's not a coincidence.

Imagine scoring 20+ goals for the season and Journalists who have never scored that many goals treating you like a bust 😂😂

Shaka speaking of injury ravaged Newcastle n giving em a 7/10 rating,basically being sympathetic yet plays blind to ManUtd injuries throughout the season n gives em a 5/10... these pundits n their blatant agendas are a disgrace

Agree, Haaland is not a City type of player

Worst football channel I’ve possibly ever watched and I’m 3 minutes into this video

A blonde lukaku. The entire team has to feed you otherwise you’re dead weight is what I remember what it was like having Lukaku in the Man Utd team.

Looks like these Muppets were out of content ideas 🙄 I think Haaland could have had a couple if he was playing today especially with how Brighton played. Brighton played like a Sunday league team today which made Man City look like even better...my opinion though 👀

Yes. Alvarez fits the David Villa role better, they are more dynamic, the link up play is better all around, they are harder to defend, and they could use that money to strengthen the back 4. Haaland is a great player, but for this system, I would prefer Alvarez.