The summer transfer window has yet to be opened, but Manchester City have already announced their highest-profile rookie of the year. Erling Haaland is moving to England from Borussia Dortmund and will have to improve Guardiola’s team next season in terms of luck and penetration power.
Now in England they are debating whether Haaland fits Man City’s style of play. At Borussia, Erling had a lot of room to step up in counter attacks. With City, he will likely have fewer opportunities given that they like to play low block against City.
Animal sprints over long distances are one of Holland’s main features, making him an attacker with unique data. At 194 cm tall and weighing 88 kg, Erling has a stylish distance pace as he moves away from most defenders. Often strikers of this size play in a less mobile way, focusing on driving and discounts to partners. The Netherlands is a rare exception. He likes to open up behind defenders and get the ball on the go.
In September 2020, he swept 60 meters at 35 km/h in the game with Borussia M. They’ve developed great pace in the Bundesliga as well, but no one has ever held such a long distance. In the Champions League match against PSG, Haaland ran the 60m race in 6.64 seconds. The world record for this distance was set by the American Chris Coleman – 6.34 seconds.
How does a Norwegian combine such a complexion with high speed? The secret is in his unconventional running style. It is difficult to say whether Holland is working on this issue consciously or whether his movements are natural. In any case, Erling’s unusual and even somewhat hilarious running style is a long-standing topic for memes and jokes. The corresponding unique animation has been added for the striker even in the FIFA foot game.
Football researcher Rajap Brar has identified three points that explain the effectiveness of such a strange running style.
- At the start of the sprint, Holland bows his head. Thus, it reduces air resistance and almost cuts off its flow. Erling’s back is bent and his center of gravity is moving upward. Due to long strides and active swinging of the arms, the Norwegian maintains balance, the movement of the legs plays a stabilizing role. This is an unusual technique that few people will like. But thanks to him, Holland adds sprint qualities to his textured physique.
2. Due to the swinging muscles of the legs and strong ankle ligaments, despite his great weight, Erling starts from somewhere and accelerates quickly like a cannonball. During these runs, he rarely touches the ball, trying to get away from the guards with a wide stride and explosive power.
3. Genes help the Netherlands. His father, Alf-Inge, is a former Norwegian and Manchester City football player, and his mother is a Norwegian heptathlon champion. In addition, Erling takes a very responsible approach to training and nutrition, which allows you not only to keep yourself in shape, but also to pump your body.
Pep Guardiola has yet to figure out how to make the most of Haaland’s best features. Erling’s clumsy but wall-breaking momentum is already frightening the defenses of Europe’s top clubs. And Guardiola may have an unexpected and deadly weapon in his hands.
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