Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has suggested that the Blues can occasionally be guilty of trying to 'force' the ball to star striker Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian frontman was rested for City's FA Cup victory over Chelsea on Sunday evening, with Pep Guardiola's side thrashing the London outfit 4-0 thanks to goals from Riyad Mahrez (2), Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden. The Blues will now face either Oxford or Arsenal in the fourth round of the competition.
Haaland, who has registered 27 goals and three assists in 22 appearances this season, did not train loads during the mid-season break and City are keen to carefully manage his minutes amid a busy fixture schedule. He has only missed two matches through injury this term, but he will certainly have benefitted from a rest on Sunday.
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While City didn't struggle to score goals - or win trophies - before the 22-year-old arrived at the Etihad, many people believe that he could prove to be the difference in the latter stages of the Champions League. However, Richards has claimed that his former side need to avoid forcing things when Haaland is on the pitch.
"He (Foden) was coasting in again. I think sometimes watching Man City at times, because they’ve got Haaland and the form he’s in, they tend to force the ball so much, in terms of they’re looking for that killer pass every time," Richards said on BBC Sport.
"I think when Foden’s in there and the way they build up, it was outstanding for this penalty, then beautiful technique from Mahrez. They were deadly today, Man City."
He added: "Like I said beforehand, when Haaland plays - and I’m not questioning him, he’s been outstanding - but they’re too quick to play the ball forward instead of taking their time and wearing the opposition down.
"I’m not going to be quoted as saying they’re better without him!"
However, ex-Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer, who was also working as a pundit for BBC, made reference to the fact that City signed him in order to help with their quest to win the Champions League.
"That’s what they’ve brought him in for (to win the Champions League)," Shearer said. "I think Pep himself has said it, it would be a complete (failure) if they weren’t to win the Champions League, that’s what they’ve brought him in for.
It remains to be seen if Haaland will be rested once again for the Carabao Cup clash with Southampton on Wednesday night.
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