Erling Haaland captained Norway during the team’s 5-1 loss to Austria in the UEFA Nations League at the weekend.
The Manchester City star was upstaged by Marko Arnautovic during the game, as the Austrian grabbed a brace and impressed.
After Norway’s loss, there has been some criticism towards Haaland and his leadership abilities – or the lack of them.
VG note that while every other Norway player stopped to speak to the media on their way to the team bus, Haaland refused to do so.
He went straight the team bus and while teammate Sander Berge defended his teammate for that behaviour, journalist Kristoffer Løkberg isn’t happy at all.
VG say there’s a belief Haaland is ‘not worthy of being captain’ and the journalist is quoted as saying:
“It’s a shame. If there’s anyone we want to hear from after a violent slump, it’s the captain. How was it communicated out here?
“How do you think after the 3-1 goal? Do you gather them? What do you do? When you are captain, you have been assigned a role that requires a little extra. Then you should stand up.”
Haaland has always been more of a finisher than a creator in the centre-forward role and always wants players around him to create the chances.
With Martin Odegaard injured, it is pretty natural that Norway will create fewer chances than they would with him. The Arsenal man’s availability for Norway would help Haaland and the rest of the selection.
