Steve Nicol has defended a certain Manchester City player from criticism for his performances in big games.
It seems like nowadays especially, players across all clubs face far more stick than they perhaps used to before the social media era.
As a result, every performance, especially for big names is under the microscope in an unprecedented fashion.
Steve Nicol defends one Man City player from big-game criticism
In late February, Jamie O’Hara stated that Erling Haaland does not do the business in big games.
The Norwegian international has failed to register a goal or an assist in six of the semi-finals and finals he has featured in at Manchester City.
However, Steve Nicol has jumped to his defence and explained why Erling Haaland cannot be blamed for this being the case.
Nicol said via ESPN FC: “I think the interesting thing is you look at the xG (Expected Goals) in all of those games, there’s only one game where he had an opportunity where you’re saying he should have scored.”
In the video, the xG generated by £51 million man’s in semi-finals and a final was shown; 0.2 against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final in 2023 and 0.3 respectively in both FA Cup finals against Manchester United.
In the Champions League, the figures read: 0.2 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid last season, 1.2 in the second leg, 0.4 in the Champions League final against Inter Milan and 0.7.
Nicol continued: “The greatest and the best players do, as Ale [Moreno] said create something from nothing or get a goal from nothing or pop up with something. But a number nine needs to rely on service and if you don’t get it, I don’t care how good you are, it’s very harsh to turn around and point the finger at him.”
Steve Nicol pointed out how the Manchester City players often hesitate to pick Erling Haaland out when he makes dangerous runs.
“Having spoken to centre-forwards and some of the best centre-forwards that ever kicked a ball, when you’re playing in a team like Man City, as great as it is and they do get the ball in and around the box a lot, there comes a time where you don’t know whether to make the run or not.”
“Centre-forwards will make the run, then they’ll come back out and by the third, fourth time, they’re like, what’s the point of me making this run because I’m never seeing it.”
Erling Haaland has not got the best service in these games
In our view, Steve Nicol is spot on about how he views how Erling Haaland has played in these semi-finals and finals.
Barring the game against Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League final last season, there is not a single game where Haaland has generated an xG of over one.
Considering City arguably have the best striker in the world at their disposal, such figures indicate they need to find him more often.
Especially in such important games as the 23-year-old could give them a huge advantage as an elite goalscorer in such matches.
As a result, it is easy to agree with Steve Nicol as he states that pointing the finger at Erling Haaland in such games is harsh.