‘Take what he says with a pinch of salt’: ‘Waffler’ Carragher berated for ‘ludicrous’ Haaland argument
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has slammed Jamie Carragher for saying Erling Haaland joined the wrong club in Manchester City.
Haaland might have 31 goals in 28 matches across all competitions this season, but many believe he has made the reigning Premier League champions worse.
After failing to register a single shot on target in Sunday’s loss at Tottenham, ex-England and Liverpool defender Carragher said the 22-year-old has made City “a lesser team”.
“He may have actually picked the wrong club to get the best out of him,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “We’re not seeing everything of Erling Haaland.
“He’s scored 25 league goals but Manchester City as a team have scored the same amount of goals, but they’ve conceded more and it’s far easier to counter-attack them as well.
“They’re a different team and a lesser team with Erling Haaland in the team, but it’s not his fault.”
This has enraged Yorke, who has said Carragher’s opinions should be taken “with a pinch of salt”.
“What a ludicrous statement from Jamie Carragher to say that Erling Haaland has not picked the right club in Manchester City, it’s a ridiculous statement,” Yorke told OLBG.
“Everyone has their opinion I suppose and we’ve both played the game at a certain level, but I’d take whatever Carragher says with a pinch of salt.
“If Haaland is running in behind and not being passed to, it means Pep Guardiola has to tell the players on the ball to pass him the ball. It has nothing to do with Haaland choosing the ‘wrong team’.
“Manchester City are the best team and have been for the past four years, what team would Haaland be better suited to if not Manchester City?
“Haaland does not like the ball to his feet, he’s a striker who likes to run in behind. It’s his first season too, so he’s still getting to know the players he plays with and the other players are understanding how Haaland plays.”
Yorke went on to say that Carragher’s point was a load of “waffle”, emphasising the kneejerk reaction to Haaland failing to score in a match.
“These top strikers don’t come to feet, they like to run behind, this is why I don’t listen to people like Carragher,” Yorke added.
“You look at all the top scorers in English history, they all like to run in behind, only occasionally did they come to collect the ball with their feet.
“Number nine is a specialist position that runs in behind, they want to face the goal, not away from it.
“When Haaland was scoring all his goals before, everyone was talking about how good he is at Manchester City, now he has not scored in one game, Haaland has signed for the wrong team.
“What a load of waffle from Carragher, you also have one of the best passers in the world in Kevin De Bruyne in the team too, they just have to see Haaland’s runs more. There is a simple solution, just play the ball in the space.”