Manchester United legend Andy Cole has rubbished Jamie Carragher's claim that Erling Haaland makes Manchester City worse and insisted he 'says things just to say things.'
Former Liverpool defender Carragher has questioned whether the Norwegian actually improves Pep Guardiola's side, despite his astonishing return of 27 goals in 24 league games. For all of Haaland's ludicrous goal-scoring exploits, City find themselves in second place, two points behind league-leaders Arsenal.
Recently, Carragher suggested that Haaland may have chosen to play for the wrong side as City do not play to the striker's strengths. His claim came following the 1-0 defeat away at Tottenham earlier this month that saw Haaland fail to register a single shot on goal.
The ex-Liverpool defender said: "I think we've only seen 60 per cent of Erling Haaland, he might have picked the wrong club to actually get the best out of him.
"We're not seeing everything of Haaland. City have scored the exact number of goals as last season. He's got 25 of them but City overall have scored the same number overall.
"However, they've conceded more and are easier to counter-attack against now. They are a different - and lesser team - with Haaland in the team."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Does Haaland make Man City a 'lesser team'? Comment below
Carragher's assessment attracted plenty of backlash at the time and now Cole, a fellow goal-getter just like Haaland, has rubbished the ex-Liverpool star's suggestion.
Speaking to Best Sports Betting Canada, Cole explained: "People like Jamie Carragher say things just to say things. If Erling Haaland continued his form from the start of the season, there would be no question that he made the wrong choice in joining Manchester City.
"Don't forget, these were the same people that were saying 'what a revelation Erling Haaland is at Manchester City'. Then he goes through a sticky patch, now the question is if he made the wrong decision.
"How has he made the wrong decision, five or six months into the season, and scored 27 goals in the Premier League? It was not a bad decision for Haaland to join Manchester City three or four months ago."
It is a debate that has surprisingly raged on throughout the course of the season, with Haaland and his form in front of goal compared to his other attributes proving to be a divisive topic among fans and pundits alike.
Guardiola recently addressed the debate and tried to ease the pressure on his talismanic forward by insisting it is up to City as a collective to create chances for Haaland.
