'No disrespect' – Man City without Erling Haaland leaves talkSPORT host convinced they don't need him

26/04/2024 13:16

Despite his sensational goalscoring record, Manchester City are a better side without Erling Haaland in the team.

That’s according to talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara – and the stats suggest he might be onto something.

Since signing for the treble winners, Haaland has scored an incredible 83 goals in 92 appearances across all competitions over two seasons.

He missed City’s 4-0 win against Brighton on Thursday though and their dominant performance led to O’Hara asking his Sports Bar co-host Jason Cundy if they’re better without him.

“They’re different, I wouldn’t say better, just different,” Cundy said, but O’Hara replied: “They are better, they win.

“They score and they’re free-flowing and listen, it is not disrespect to Haaland because he’s an unbelievable player, we know that.

“But Manchester City, right now, you have to look at the facts, they’re a better side without him.”

Statistics show that this is a valid argument, even if Haaland is still regarded as one of the best players in world football.

In the 61 Premier League matches he has played, City have won 41, drawn 11, and lost seven of them, with a win percentage of 70.5.

However, Guardiola’s side have won eight of the ten games they have played without him, taking their win record to 80 per cent.

Their average goals scored record is also improved – 2.4 are netted with him in the side compared to 2.5 when he doesn’t play.

As well as this, City muster 19.3 shots on average per game without Haaland as opposed to 16.7 with him.

Although there is a large difference in the number of games, it proves that the reigning champions can still find a way to win in his absence.

Haaland is unlikely to repeat the 36 league goals he scored last year but he is still joint-top in the standings this season on 20 with Chelsea star Cole Palmer.

And with five games left to play, he also has time to make even more of an impact on the side as they chase a record fourth consecutive Premier League title.

City are second and only one point behind leaders Arsenal but will overtake them should they win their game in hand.