”I’m not sure what everyone expects for him?’: Ex-Man Utd striker hits back at Haaland critics
”I’m not sure what everyone expects for him?’: Former Man United striker hits back at Erling Haaland critics after Norwegian racks up 27-goal haul before February
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Andy Cole has admitted that he ‘is not sure what everyone expects’ from Erling Haaland, in response to criticism of the Manchester City striker’s recent form.
Since joining the Citizens in the summer for £51m, the 22-year-old has scored a whopping 33 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions and currently leads the Premier League’s Golden Boot race with 27 strikes already this season.
That goal tally impressively includes four hattricks, but despite his prowess in front of net, the Norwegian has still managed to cop some criticism, with some including Jamie Carragher, claiming that Haaland has chosen to move to the wrong club.
According to Carragher, City had become a ‘lesser team with Haaland in the side’ and that ‘we’re not seeing the full package of what this player can do because of the team that he is in.’
But former Manchester United, Blackburn and Newcastle striker Cole disagrees with those criticisms claiming that his goal scoring record so far this season speaks for itself.
Andy Cole has hit back at criticisms of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (pictured)
Cole (left) claimed that he ‘didn’t know what people expected’ of Haaland considering his form
‘People say he shouldn’t have signed for Man City because he doesn’t fit in,’ Cole said to Stats Perform. ‘But if I’ve got 27 goals by February, and everyone’s telling me that I’ve made the wrong move… what’s the right move, then?
‘You’ve got 27 goals by the end of February, and you’ve got the chance to get to 40 goals. I’m not sure what everyone expects for him.’
Cole, who won five Premier League titles, the Champions League and was the Premier League’s top scorer in the 1993/94 season, certainly knows what he’s talking about when it comes to in-form strikers.
And while Haaland has seemed to slow down on his goal haul from earlier in the season, failing to score in City’s 2-0 win against Newcastle at the weekend, he has still provided contributions elsewhere this season, racking up five assists.
Cole added: ‘I don’t think there’s anything to actually think about.
Jamie Carragher was one who claimed City were a ‘lesser team with Haaland in the side’
The Norwegian has now scored 33 goals in 34 appearances for Man City across all comps
Haaland failed to get on the scoresheet against Newcastle last weekend but record an assist
‘Because when people say he’s made the wrong move or he’s gone to the wrong club, what is he supposed to do? He’s gone to clubs, scored goals, is far beyond anyone else in the Premier League for scoring goals.
‘He’s made the wrong move? He doesn’t fit? How does he not fit? If he’s got 27 goals so far, by the end of February, but he doesn’t fit and doesn’t get involved in the play, we don’t need to have that conversation.
‘We don’t need to have that conversation and to talk about getting involved and doing other things. It’s as simple as that. Now, it’s a crazy [conversation].’
City take on Crystal Palace on Saturday and will be hoping Haaland can replicate his hat-trick of goals he scored in the reverse fixture this season, to help them put the pressure back on Arsenal as the title race heats up.
