Erling Haaland remains one of the most feared forwards in English football, even as scrutiny grows over his recent dip in form.
The Manchester City striker, who took the Premier League by storm upon his arrival, has now gone four league matches without finding the net — a rare drought that has sparked debate about the depth of his overall contribution.
Despite the temporary lull, Haaland’s numbers this season still underline his remarkable consistency.
The Norwegian has already scored 22-goal and there is widespread expectation that he will surpass that figure comfortably before the campaign reaches its conclusion.
With Manchester City locked in a tense title race with Arsenal, attention has turned to how Haaland can influence games beyond goals alone.
Critics have suggested that he needs to become more involved in build-up play, especially when goals are not flowing.
Yet within the City camp, there is little concern about the striker’s importance — and Antoine Semenyo has been quick to defend the qualities that make Haaland such a unique attacking force.
“He’s a big problem” – Haaland’s presence still decisive
Semenyo, who joined City in January, has had the opportunity to observe Haaland closely and believes the striker’s impact extends far beyond the scoresheet.
Speaking candidly, he dismissed claims that Haaland lacks a well-rounded game, instead highlighting the constant threat he poses to defenders.
“He’s a big problem,” he said. “Just in the games, when people mark him; it’s not just one person marking him, it’s like three people.”
That level of attention, Semenyo explained, creates significant advantages for the rest of the team. When defenders are preoccupied with containing Haaland, space opens up across the pitch — an asset City are well-equipped to exploit.
“It’s like [relieved expression] the space for everyone else is fantastic. But he causes so many problems. He’s tall, fast, can finish. [He’s] essentially the complete striker. Anything in the box, he’ll score.”
Such praise reflects the reality of Haaland’s role in Pep Guardiola’s system. Even when he is not scoring, his movement, physical presence and reputation continue to shape opposition tactics.
Defenders are forced to stay compact, often committing multiple players to tracking his runs, which in turn creates opportunities for City’s midfielders and wide players.
Questions remain, but numbers speak loudly
While Semenyo’s assessment is firmly supportive, the conversation around Haaland has not been entirely silenced. The expectation placed on him is exceptionally high, largely because of the extraordinary standards he set during his debut season.
Failing to score in four consecutive league matches may be a minor blip by most standards, but for a player of Haaland’s calibre, it inevitably draws attention.
The debate has centred on whether he should contribute more outside the penalty area, particularly in matches where City struggle to break down well-organised defences.
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Semenyo, however, was careful not to overstate his admiration when asked to place Haaland among the Premier League’s greatest strikers.
Instead, he acknowledged both the difficulty of the comparison and the significance of Haaland’s achievements so far.
“That’s a tough question,” he said. “He’ll be up there, for sure. His numbers are a scandal. Forty-one goals in one season.”
That record-breaking campaign continues to shape perceptions of Haaland, setting a benchmark that few players in Premier League history have approached.
It also explains why even a brief scoring drought can prompt such intense scrutiny.
As Manchester City prepare for a crucial phase in the title race, Haaland’s influence — whether through goals or the disruption he causes — is likely to remain central.
