How Erling Haaland has fit into City.

Erling Haaland's arrival has forced Pep Guardiola and himself to adapt, but how have they done so?

Erling Haaland’s £50m move to City was met with high expectations. The Norwegian striker was dubbed as the first ‘galatico’ by City. It’s fair to say City’s newest superstar signing has met expectations early on.

In Haaland’s first five Premier League games, he’s netted nine, but how exactly has he fit into City?

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Build-up and progression

This season, City have often used the 2-3-5 and 3-1-6 shapes to build out the back. They’re the Premier League’s most patience team, averaging the most passes per sequence in the league.

City in a 2-3-5 vs West Ham

City in a 3-1-6 vs Forest

Though Haaland isn’t naturally involved in build-up, like some of City’s past false 9 options, there have been a few instances of him dropping deep to create passing lanes to ease pressure.

Naturally, the presence of an advanced forward pins opposition defenses back, creating more space for City to progress the ball.

Haaland’s positioning drops the Bournemouth line deeper

With Haaland pinning the two center-backs and the wide wingers pinning the full-backs, room for the two 8s in the half-spaces are generated.

Given this, it shouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise if City’s interiors rack up big numbers this season. All three of Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and İlkay Gündoğan already have at least three goal contributions on the season.

If the opposition decides to drop deep and cover the half-spaces, City’s inverted wing-backs are given the freedom to roam higher. The match against West Ham is a perfect example of this.

Look at the positioning of Cancelo (No. 7)

Erling Haaland might not be the type of striker to drop deep and get involved in play, however, Pep has found solutions — using the striker’s ability to pin defenders, using wide wingers to pin the full-backs, and creating acres of space for the 8s.

Movement and goal-scoring

Erling Haaland’s movement is elite. Simple as.

Erling Haaland’s finishing is elite. Simple as.

In the first five Premier League matches, Haaland has scored nine goals from 7.34 xG.

Erling Haaland’s shot map, Premier League, 2022/2023 - understat

The 7.34 xG shows that Haaland’s goal-scoring isn’t unsustainable (though it’s unlikely he’ll keep up the near two goals a game). A large part of this xG is credited to Haaland’s movement, intelligence and pure physical power.

Run earns City a Penalty

His third goal vs Crystal Palace is the cliché Erling Haaland goal.

First, his movement to split the two-center backs (note how he’s already pinning the defensive line back), then his strength to hold off Ward, and finally an unstoppable finish.

This exact goal was similar to his second against West Ham, a testament to the footballing machine Pep Guardiola is building.

Erling Haaland on a through ball from Kevin De Bruyne in transition. It’s something the Premier League will have to get used to.

The arrival of Erling Haaland has taken City’s transition game to another level, but what about in settled possession?

Haaland fits into Pep’s new set-up to break down low-blocks and five backs. The set-up uses the overload of specific areas to drag defenders out of position and create space for runners.

Haaland’s movement in and around the box has finally given City the No. 9 they’ve been looking for so long. An attacker with poacher’s instinct.

Haaland’s aerial dominance has made the isolations created down the wings even more dangerous.

Though, he can still improve his accuracy.

Haaland’s movement goes beyond goal-scoring. Around zone 14 Haaland’s link-up has been improving over the past few seasons. The former Dortmund player knows that center-backs will always be concentrated on him, he uses this to his advantage and creates space for runners in the half-space.

Physically, Haaland’s profile is one of the most dominant the sport has seen in years. His raw pace and power is incredible. Add to that his height (6 ft 5 in), you have a physical specimen. This makes his hold-up play and runs into open space a huge part of his tool box.

Haaland’s skill-set has added a new dimension to City, making them more dangerous than ever in transition and in the box.

Pressing

To the eye, Haaland isn’t an elite presser yet. He’s nowhere near City’s former No. 9 Gabriel Jesus. The numbers say otherwise. Haaland’s 37% successful pressure rate puts him among Europe’s best pressing forwards.

Haaland is an intense presser — there have been times in which he’s ran across the width of the pitch cautiously, applying pressure to the back line.

The one thing about the numbers is that they could be inflated by the fact that many sides don’t look to play out of City’s press. Most keepers and center-backs look to play long if pressure arrives.

Would Alisson or Ramsdale also clear the ball in this situation?

This is not to say Haaland isn’t a good presser. Like most players, he’s not perfect and needs improvements. This pressing sequence is far better (and sustainable numbers wise) than some of his more hopeful chases.

There is also this, a goal scored of a turnover he forced.

In this example, Haaland blind sides Yates before using his physicality to recover the ball.

Pressing isn’t just chasing the ball, it’s also knowing how to block passing angles, knowing when to press, etc. Given his effort, it should come as no surprise if Haaland blossoms into an elite presser under Pep Guardiola. We’ve seen the coach do this in the past with many players, such as Jesus and Bernardo Silva.

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Ultimately, a major part of Haaland’s legacy at City is whether or not he’s able to deliver the club’s first Champions League. Pep’s use of Haaland over the years will be intriguing. One thing is for sure though, Haaland will light up the Premier League.