Erling Haaland Gets the Last Laugh After Jamie Carragher’s Criticism About His Move to Man City
Since joining Manchester City in 2022, Erling Haaland has consistently shattered records, setting himself apart as one of the Premier League’s most dominant players. His performances have left many in awe, including Tony Cascarino, who admitted he takes Haaland “for granted” due to the unbelievable standards the Norwegian has set.
After scoring against Arsenal, Haaland became the first player in Premier League history to net 10 goals in five games. His achievements have led to Paul Scholes labeling him a Premier League great, remarking that Haaland isn’t “far off” from the best strikers to ever grace English football.
Haaland’s incredible goal-scoring form has been backed by trophies, cementing his success at Manchester City. Yet, despite his remarkable contributions, he has faced criticism from fans and pundits, even into this season.
Jamie Carragher’s Hot Take: Haaland “Picked the Wrong Club”
Last year, Jamie Carragher famously claimed that Haaland “picked the wrong club” after Manchester City’s 1-0 loss to Tottenham. During his analysis, Carragher suggested that City’s style of play wasn’t a good fit for Haaland’s talents.
Carragher argued on Sky Sports: “I think we’ve only seen 60 per cent of Erling Haaland. He came from a counter-attacking league [Bundesliga], where you saw his blistering pace. We don’t see it here.” He further suggested that while Haaland had been prolific, Manchester City hadn’t improved in terms of overall goals scored compared to the previous season.
Carragher also compared Haaland to Harry Kane, noting Kane’s ability to drop deep and influence the game more when on the ball, which he felt Haaland lacked. Roy Keane went even further, likening Haaland to a “League Two player” and criticizing his all-around game.
Despite these critiques, Pep Guardiola stood by his striker, calling Haaland “exceptional” and dismissing any negative comparisons.
Carragher Admits He Was Wrong About Haaland
By April 2023, Carragher was forced to eat his words. During an episode of The Overlap, Gary Neville confronted him about his claim that Haaland had joined the wrong club. When asked to defend his statement, Carragher admitted, “Guilty,” acknowledging he was wrong.
Haaland’s response to Carragher’s doubts was undeniable. By the end of the season, he had helped lead Manchester City to an historic treble, firmly disproving Carragher’s suggestion that City wasn’t the right fit.
Like many football greats before him, Haaland will likely continue to face scrutiny throughout his career. But with his current trajectory, he’s well on his way to silencing critics just as Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry once did.
