'Completely different' - Erling Haaland told he's no longer 'the animal' he was for Man City last season as ex-Premier League star suggests Norwegian striker has stopped 'fighting' for Pep Guardiola's team

After a stunning debut season for City, Haaland has faced criticism for some of his performances this term despite scoring an impressive 29 goals in 33 matches for the reigning European and English champions, and Gallas feels he lacks the fear factor he displayed in 2022-23.

"I don’t think Erling Haaaland looks the same. His game, the way he makes runs, his desire, it’s not the same as the all-conquering Haaland we saw at Manchester City last year," ex-Arsenal and France star Gallas told Genting Casino. "Last season, he was running and fighting for every ball – he tired defenders out because he put them under so much pressure with his physicality. Defenders were always on their toes around him.

"He’s come back from his injury and his football has changed. Is he still trying to get up to speed after the injury? Maybe. Something about Erling Haaland is very different this year. If you compare him to last season, his debut in the Premier League, his physical play was completely different. He was fighting. He was holding the ball."

Haaland scored an awesome 52 goals in 53 games to help fire City to Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup success. He was unable to make the difference as his team played out a 1-1 draw with title challengers Liverpool last week, though, and Gallas feels that performance proved the change in the 23-year-old's playing style compared to last season.

He added: "He was an animal last season. Defenders were frightened of his physicality – he didn’t give defenders a second to breath. He was running and fighting for every ball. For defenders, it’s so difficult to play against someone like him. In the game against Liverpool, he had two direct duels with Virgil van Dijk and he lost them both. In one situation he got off a shot, but it was an easy effort for Kelleher to save.

"Perhaps he is still tired. He was out for a few months and, since he has come back, he has played in almost every game for Manchester City. It’s normal for your energy to drop after a spell on the side lines. It looks like he could do with a breather at the moment."

Despite drawing a blank against Liverpool, Haaland has scored a whopping seven goals across his last four matches in all competitions, having struck five times as City beat Luton 6-2. He will hope to improve on his record when his team meet Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.