Erling Haaland, the star striker for Manchester City, has faced a challenging period since Christmas, leading to growing concerns among Fantasy Premier League (FPL) fans about his goal-scoring form. Priced at £15.1 million, Haaland has notably struggled, going without an open-play goal in his last eight matches. His only recent success came from a penalty during Gameweek 21 against Brighton and Hove Albion, despite earning the captain’s armband from millions of FPL managers.
Following Manchester City’s disappointing exit in the Champions League at the hands of Bodo/Glimt, Haaland publicly took responsibility for his performance. “I take full responsibility for not being able to score the goals I should do, so I apologise to everyone and every single Manchester City supporter that travelled today,” he stated in an interview with TNT Sports. He emphasized his commitment to improving, stressing his focus on doing his best on the pitch.
Many are left wondering why the 25-year-old’s scoring ability seems to have diminished. Although it might seem that his shot count has decreased, that is not the case. In fact, during a match against Brighton earlier this month, Haaland registered a season-high of eight attempts. His average for non-penalty efforts remains relatively consistent—3.765 per match up to Gameweek 17 compared to 3.600 since then. However, there has been a noticeable decline in the quality of his shots as he has averaged fewer opportunities in the penalty box.
Statistically, none of his recent performances have contributed to his best non-penalty expected goals (NPxG), indicating that the quality of his scoring chances has significantly dropped. This decline in shot quality may be a critical factor in understanding Haaland’s current struggles on the pitch.
FPL managers, while currently frustrated, may still find hope as Haaland’s underlying metrics suggest he remains involved in the game. As Manchester City continues to compete in multiple tournaments, there could be opportunities for Haaland to regain his form and dominate once again. Fans and managers alike will be eagerly watching for any signs of a turnaround.