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.

I pray Alvarez plays the rest of the games. He gives the front three flexibility and mobility

Jan Åge Fjørtoft would be "unbelievably" offended by the question

Alvarez has been awful for two months now, OBVIOUSLY YOU GUYS ARENT WATCHING

Madrid fan here - How can this even be a question. He literally set the premier league all time record in his first year playing at the club. He's incredible, be patient. My lord.

funny isnt it how this man last season scored 52 goals was a machine then this sason so far has scored 20 goals but is criticised for being a tap in merchant but is the premier league top goal scorer...hmmmm.

When you go through the question bring them more Man U and Ten Hag questions to get those tongues wagging

Haaland hasnt been the same since he picked up that injury for Norway but they are much better with him. When on form he is virtually unplayable

Haaland is a better Emile Heskey. Perfect for an Everton type side but totally out of place at City and they're a better team with Alvarez up front instead.

Every team in world football would want a striker like Erling Haaland. Even though he’s not as involved in the buildup play as other strikers, being an elite number 9 is about scoring goals and that alone is what wins you games. People will say that “attackers easily score goals on Man City”, in his debut season at the club even without doing much in the buildup play, he scored over 50+ goals and won the treble for Manchester City. Here’s the problem though, Haaland is a scorer and you look at the Manchester City system, you don’t expect a traditional number 9 like him to drop deep and get involved in the game. Majority of these big games while his presence in the middle creates space for the other players on the team and they thrive off of it, he’s not going to touch the ball a lot and make a significant impact and when he’s on the field sometimes it feels like Manchester City are playing with a man down. They’ve had to change the way they play just to accommodate Haaland into the team and they’ve had to be more direct and risk taking because a number 9 like him you can only play the ball to him. When he doesn’t play, it seems like Manchester City’s attack is much more fluid and that’s because Julian Alvarez is a much different profile compared to him as he’s direct and is all about running and when things aren’t coming off for him he’ll keep trying over and over again. They just beat Brighton 4-0 without Haaland and when he’s back he’s going to start and then do his stat pad sessions against the weaker teams that City have to face until the season ends.

Halland plays like 36 year old ronaldo to be honest 👀 Ronaldo scored 25 with man u ..he'd also score 40 with city No big deal

So true how good Cole Palmer has been in the middle of that dumpster fire. Really creating so much of it on his own too. Super impressive

City to win premier league. History in the making.

As a rival. City without Haaland is doomed. Last season he was a beast. This season he is reserved but still has the G/A

Its a valid question about Klopp why the defensive reaction.. his legacy will be tarnished after this season

- Dad, what is a loss? - I don't know son, we are Rodri fans (penalties against Madrid apparently don't count as a loss, they say it's still a draw)

Better to play with 11 men than 10 .Halland has the worst record against top opposition in Europe for top flight strikers .check the stats he just doesn't turn up

Let's be honest, Messi is great but this man was the best player in the world last year. He's great, he's earned respect, and he will be a menace.

Waaay better,he brought instability in the team,the kind pep tried to eliminate from the team,when he is in the team everyone is trying to find him,and teams have understood that and That's why city has struggled with goals are not free flowing anymore,

Ale was grillin juan lol

This season many people will see it as a disappointment for Liverpool because of the lack of trophies outside of the Carabao Cup since they were in contention to win every competition at one point in the season but I think they’ve exceeded expectations. Everyone knows how much they struggled last season because of injuries lack of depth and not properly strengthening the midfield which resulted in them finishing outside of the top 4 and it was evident to everyone that they were in a transitional period and they needed a rebuild big time. Liverpool were supposed to be in a rebuilding season and at the start of the season many Liverpool fans would’ve been happy enough with champions league football and winning a trophy in the domestic cups. They got both of that, Liverpool won a trophy which was the Carabao Cup they’re automatically playing in the Champions League next season and it’s not just that, for some chunks of the season, they were on top of the league and we felt as if they had a chance to win the title as going into match day 38, Liverpool were in 1st place and they were in the hunt to win a historic quadruple. All of this while dealing with a lot of injuries and new signings having to settle into Klopp’s system. Unfortunately in football no matter how elite a team is, winning 4 trophies in a season is difficult task when even a team like Manchester City won a domestic and continental treble, even they have never won a quadruple before. In a span of 5 weeks, Jurgen Klopp’s farewell season at Liverpool has unraveled because Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United of all teams rained on their parade twice knocking them out of the FA Cup and drew to them 2-2 in the premier league. Atalanta knocked them out of the Europa League after beating them 3-0 at Anfield in the first leg and a run of 1 win in their last 4 league games means that they don’t have much of a chance to win the title this season. His time at Liverpool will end in a whimper and you can see why he said that he’s running out of energy. His managerial career at Liverpool was a successful with the impact that he made at the club, at the same time they missed out on some trophies because Manchester City have made the premier league look like a farmers league and Real Madrid just never loses champions league finals. Without those 2, he would’ve won more and it’s not all about winning trophies as that alone doesn’t just the ability of a manager. Liverpool’s downfall post Klopp will happen and in the next couple of years, Klopp will get more appreciation especially since people will look at his lack of league titles.

12:33 Paris or Middlesborough or Barquisimeto. What a roast by Frank!

126 comments (so far) and it seems like none of you actually watch city or Haaland. 126 stat watchers in this comment section, you can put anyone into this city team and they will perform the same. City won everything before him and will win everything without him.

Kay Murray is fun to watch, put Stevie and Shaka in with her any day of the week. :)

They can't just get rid of him, they've built this team around him. And all though he's not in great form, everyone goes through that phase. He'll find his form soon, and I believe that if he keeps fighting he'll be one of the greatest strikers oat

Arnie slot is a great appointment he will definitely keep them in the EFL .😅😅😅

Haaland is the only centre forward who can comprehensively tie up two CBs for the entire game -unless one CB is Rudiger. However, City are not noticeably worse when Haaland does not play. He was out for 2 months and for 4, he had no service from De Bruyne. Yet he was still. until very recently, the division's top scorer.

How can they be pundits and not have done a bit of research into Slot especially as Leeds and then spurs were interested in him when in prem - he’s rated far higher than eth in Holland - like any manager the risk is hasn’t been in prem before but other than that he’s top class

City are playing how pep wants them to play, halaand is playing how pep wants him to play, yall keepp forgetting the dortnund haaland He is the same guy, different coach this different playing style, yall should start questioning pep and how he uses haaland

You rate Newcastle higher than United. When Newcastle has less injuries and below United. But fair enough, when you’re a big club…you face this

Ale is actually a very funny person. Would be fun to have a beer with (and w/ Shaka there as well)

No, City are better when teams do not play an extreme low block

He's like Mo Salah, when they're scoring goals they're great, but their overall play is poor.

8:15 I love this show 😂😂😂😂

The upside of Xavi staying? It united Barca and Real Madrid in happiness that he's staying. Madrid are happy to see Xavi stay and blame everything else when they lose instead of addressing the real issues in his team, and Barca fans are happy because they think he's Pep 2.0.

I'm not even a City fan but what I will tell u is the media can be extremely disrespectful

When you see Madrid's team, Haaland looks like more the missing piece than Mbappe

How about Unai Emery for Liverpool?...

Pep is the greatest manager of all time. If he starts Haaland every single game he’s fit, there surely has to be a strong reason.

U guys only seat on this seat to criticize others when they are not playing well, let see your individual records naa

2:08 Shaka got em

9 years and 1 premier league and Champions League. Even Leicester won 1 premier league title. Let’s not act like City won all the other ones. It’s poor for Liverpool. If it were Manchester United everyone would say it’s poor.

No team is better without a striker! He is so good that everyone marks him well and he still scores! So no he is always gonna make us better

It doesn't Juan Mata

Shaka saying Newcastle 7 out of 10. Really insane. I understand Newcastle is his ex club but noways this season they deserve 7.

Better off without Haaland ? 50 goals last season and 30 goals this season while missing a lot of games in Injury. Without Haaland City will surely be short of goals.

I don't think he's going to work personally at city. I'd give him another season though to evaluate and see if he evolve his game because city isn't going to play towards his comfort zone. P.s. I'd do the same with grealish one more season and sold if they can't show promise.... also yes i know Haaland scored goals this season but look at who they were playing when he scores.

Ridiculous. In a little bit more than a season and a half Haaland has exactly 25% of the goals of the EPL's all-time leading scorer (Shearer). On pace to break the record in SIX YEARS. Yeah - he stinks

Ollie Watkins deserves player of the year. Very underrated

Haaland is a goal score who just needs to improve in his overall plays and finish but we cant predict the future but i cant lie to you Haaland can't never get involved in a football game more than this they just simple need to play to his strength ie play very direct and send alot of cross

Shaka is a 🦕

Nice w/o Burley.

They’re definitely more fun to watch

On paper, many people will see Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool as a disappointment when he leaves the club this summer. Why it’s because in 9 years he’s only won 1 premier league title and 1 champions league title, as he’s lost multiple champions league finals and close title races in the premier league. Unfortunately history goes against him and people only care about the winning team, since when do we judge a manager’s ability purely off of team trophies and if you’re someone who does that without understanding context then you don’t know ball at all. Over the years, Liverpool have been among the best teams in the world as Jurgen Klopp transformed them from a mid table team to an elite team again in a span of 8 years. He’s had an incredible impact on Liverpool being able to get to multiple champions league finals and realistically compete against Manchester City one of the greatest teams we’ve ever seen in premier league history with unlimited financial power and they’re under investigation for breaching over 115 charges. We live in a world where without Liverpool’s title win in 2020, do you know how many premier league titles Manchester City would’ve won in the last 6 years. That’s 6 and while they lost to them by a point in 2019 and 2022, the fact that they’ve been able to go toe to toe with them until the last game of the season is impressive. His time at Liverpool is a massive what if because of Manchester City’s dominance in the Premier League and Real Madrid beating them in 2 different champions league finals meaning that in 9 years Klopp has won 1 premier league and 1 champions league title.

Manchester City as best ever team in the EPL isn't really up for debate IMO? Its a fact

The definition of when you’re on top they love you and sing your praises you have a slump in form and now they say you belong in a league 2 side. Pundits are the worst.

This group is hilarious 😂

Last season Halland scored zero goals against top teams this year he has been worst .

DO YOU KNOW THAT IF THE QUESTION ABOUT KLOPP WAS ASKED ABOUT PEP, IF HE HAD WON ONE PREMIER LEAGUE IN 8 YEARS, AND CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, THESE SAME PUNDITS WOULD HAVE SAID PEP HAS FAILED. THATS EXACTLY WHAT WAS ABOUT HIM IN GERMANY, ONLY BECAUSE HE DIDNT WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. THESE BIG MOUTHS WHO HAVE NOT WON MUCH IN THEIR PLAYING TIME HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THINGS THEYVE NEVER ACHIEVED.

Middlesbrough has some fine greasy fish and chip shops. Good for lining Shaka stomach for later.

While City are better witout Haamand it is actually because Pep has decided against accommodating him.

They didn’t win the championship league until he got there so I’ll just leave that here.

Of course..Old Castle has the media darling and the English passport guy- Eddie Howe. So he will get 7/10 while other club manager will get 5/10 despite both had similar injury crisis.. Just saying 🤣

Yes they better without halland and more fluid and better to watch. They don’t need an out n out striker when they got players like silva kdb foden rodri Doku. Halland is not a good footballer he’s just a good finisher and last season he had a freak of nature season.

11:37 😅😅😂😂😂

yes

Haaland is a amazing player and ups and down are part of life.

This guy said if arsenal wins it Declan wins the best player 😂 bro do ppl see what odegaard do on that team ? Smh they just go for the English players 🤦🏾‍♂️ so sad

Best striker where?

Silly question re Haaland. He's spent half the season injured and is still the joint top scorer.

How about Haaland would be better without city’s tap-tap-tap system?

Halaand is getting 10% of the hate treatment Mbappe gets and its already ugly

Kay looking good

Man utd should buy him for a billion dollars. 😂

Man City miss gündoğan and why not as good this season boy due to haaland - also Mahrez made difference in lot of games from bench or when players needed resting

Even though he is a glorified tap in merchant who should never be compared to Messi and Ronaldo, City without Haaland would never have won the champions league last year. Guardiola’s problem is he overthinks lineups and is so set in his own ways, and of course City had injuries, and Haaland himself was not 100% against RM and got manhandled by a clown. If City want to try have European success, they need to have Haaland next year, and De Bruyne, and have luck on their side with the injuries. They would not be better in Europe without Haaland. The PL is a different story.

Rodri should easily be POTY, we saw City when he was out

Its only brighton...

The only thing I know is that Barca is ready to buy him.😂

Are you high?

No one give Real Madrid credit for being the best, because of hatred. But now since they are winning without a # 9, suddenly Haaland is irrelevant? Common, best striker at the moment.