I hink He’s a Normal Player’ — Ex-Real Madrid Star Questions Erling Haaland’s Status
Former Ajax and Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has claimed Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is not a world-class player despite his strong start to the Premier League season.
Van der Vaart made these remarks during an interview with TALKSport, sparking debate over Haaland’s abilities. He suggested that the Norwegian striker relies too much on his physicality and lacks the technical skills of past greats.
Haaland’s Form in Question
Haaland scored an impressive 10 goals in his first five Premier League games this season. However, his form has dipped, with just two goals in his last eight matches. This slump has coincided with Manchester City struggling to find consistent form in recent weeks.
Van der Vaart’s Criticism
The Dutch football pundit said:
“If you take away his pace, I think he’s a normal player. Technically, he’s not good enough. He’s scored a lot of goals, but something is missing to call him a world-class striker.”
Van der Vaart compared Haaland unfavourably to legendary strikers like Marco van Basten and Ruud van Nistelrooy, implying Haaland does not belong in the same category as these icons.
Debate Among Fans
Van der Vaart’s comments have ignited discussions among fans and pundits, with many questioning whether Haaland’s recent dip is temporary or indicative of a deeper issue in his game
