Recently, the discussion about the goalscorer king Haaland has set off a storm in the football world. From the glory of the treble to the myth of consecutive goals, he was once a symbol that everyone knows and everyone knows. However, his performance on the field of play has sparked widespread doubts and discussions. Manchester United legend Roy Keane even bluntly said that Haaland's level is comparable to that of a League Two player. Such an evaluation has sparked dissatisfaction and doubts among many fans and experts. But the fact that Haaland did disappear in key competitions cannot be overlooked.
Mentality: The Triple Crown is no match for a "virtual ball king" in the United States Professional League
Treble winner and Premier League scorer record, Haaland's achievements last season were astonishing. However, his unfortunate defeat in the Ballon d'Or and World Footballer of the Year award seems to have left him in a state of mind confused. This has sparked attention and discussion about him among fans and experts. Haaland has been in extraordinary form, helping his team to the treble with his goalscoring ability and dominance, and breaking the Premier League's top scorer charts. However, these achievements did not lead to the Ballon d'Or or World Footballer of the Year, which is a big blow to any player. For so many years, the World Footballer of the Year has relied on the title of the top five leagues and the Champions League.
However, if the 2022 World Cup winner is not taken into account, it is undoubtedly a farce of historical proportions. Messi's performances in Ligue 1 and MLS beat Haaland, who has a three-time title, and he was devastated. Especially in the age of social media, fan comments and public opinion pressure are everywhere. Every slight misstep can lead to endless controversy and criticism. This is undoubtedly a heavy psychological burden for Haaland, which has had a certain impact on his mentality.
Targeted defense of the opponent
Haaland is known to be a goal-scoring machine who is intimidating with his excellent finishing skills and explosiveness. However, in recent games, we have come to feel that his goalscoring ability seems to be being limited. Premier League teams have adjusted their tactics and focused more on Haaland's defence. Most teams have adopted a tight defensive system, placing multiple defenders near the penalty area, creating an impregnable wall. They kept an eye on Haaland and didn't give him the slightest chance to play. In addition, the Premier League side also limited Haaland's play through targeted tactical set-ups.
For example, Haaland's speed, while excellent, is difficult to break through against multiple defences, and his relatively low accuracy with his left-footed shot can be exploited by opponents to create chances. They played Haaland's side with an all-encompassing strategy. They keep a close eye on Haaland and don't give him room to play the ball and shoot. Their centre-back clings to him, making it impossible for him to easily catch the ball or turn and shoot. The Premier League team has studied Haaland very well. They have managed to limit Haaland's attacking prowess by spotting and exploiting his weaknesses.
Limitations of technical features:
Haaland is known to be a great hunter in the box, and with his strong body and keen nose for shots, he has shown excellent performances in the box. However, he has faced a challenge recently: his attacking style has been thoroughly studied by opponents, and this single approach to attacking in the box is no longer acceptable. As opponents adopt a dense defensive strategy, Haaland's lack of heading and dribbling ability is gradually exposed.
He's used to eating cakes, grabbing points and getting into positions in the box, which makes it easier for opponents to limit his space. To stand out in such a competitive Premier League, Haaland will have to transform his attacking style and improve his technical skills. First of all, he needs to improve his heading ability. Despite his impressive height, Haaland's header skills still need to be improved when playing against tall defenders. By intensifying his header training, he can make better use of his physical strengths and dominate aerial duels. Secondly, Haaland needs to improve his dribbling ability. In the face of tight defenses, he often struggled and was unable to break through the encirclement of his opponents quickly.
Haaland's predicament is multifaceted, from the adjustment of mentality to the adaptation of tactics, from the opponent's defense to the perfection of individual skills, every step is crucial. Do you think Haaland can overcome his current predicament? What changes does he need to make? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section, let's cheer for Haaland together, and look forward to more wonderful scoring moments from him!