Jamie Carragher reckons Erling Haaland made the wrong choice by signing for Manchester City - and wouldn't be deterred by fellow pundit Micah Richards sniggering at him.
The Norwegian is arguably the best player on the planet and has an incredible 31 goals in 27 games for Pep Guardiola's Premier League title-chasers. That's despite a notable drop-off from the Citizens who failed to take advantage of Arsenal's stumble this weekend and still trail them by five points, having played a game more, after their defeat to Spurs.
Haaland's explosive form since his £60m move from Borussia Dortmund means it's near impossible to criticise the 22-year-old but Carragher reckons his inclusion has WEAKENED City - through no fault of his own. The Liverpool hero reckons the Guardiola way doesn't suit the all-action striker and argues he would have been better signing for a team who play to his strengths.
He said on Sky Sports: "I felt even when he was scoring all his goals at the start of the season, obviously he's still well ahead on the goalscoring ranks, but we're only seeing 60 per cent of Erling Haaland. You think of that goal he scored against West Ham on the opening day of the season where he ran into the space behind the defence.
"I know that's not there that often because of the way City play, but he's come from a league with Borussia Dortmund that's a counter-attacking league. You see that blistering pace he's got, we don't see that (in the Premier League). He may have actually picked the wrong club to get the best out of him..."
Carragher was then interrupted by fellow pundit Richards who struggled to keep a straight face and sniggered at his theory. Carragher went on: "You're laughing but we're not seeing everything of Haaland. Man City as a team scored the same amount of goals, Haaland has 25 but City haven't scored more (than last season).
"They've conceded more and it's far easier to counter-attack them. They're a different team and a lesser team with Erling Haaland in it.
"It's not his fault, but City as a team will not play end to end football. It's not Pep Guardiola's way, his players don't have the energy or the power or the pace. They build up slowly, they play from the edge of the box, and they keep people hemmed in. Haaland has 25 goals from those positions, but we're not seeing the full package of what this player can do because of the team that he's gone to."
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