Once again there are many reasons for Dortmund‘s failure. One of them is called Erling Haaland. The wonder boy, on whom so much depends, played weakly like everyone else. And promptly, BVB flew out of the cup at St. Pauli.
Nobody can fool me that the posse about the Haaland contract, the ominous exit clause and the endless loop question of whether he stays or makes the fly, leaves the team without a trace. And of course not on the player either.
Since the weekend, the story has become unsavory. Since Haaland’s frontal attack, BVB would push for a decision and put him under pressure. For me, a perfidious reason for separation is already being prepared here.
In truth, constant pressure only comes from the Haaland side, which simply leaves a departure in the room despite the contract until 2024.
They play poker until the doctor comes. Public silence, but then dropping by Barcelona and Real Madrid (like agent Raiola and father Alf-Inge Haaland did) is disrespectful towards BVB. And may not be helpful to the player.
A decision has to be made now if you want to be able to keep looking into each other’s eyes. “We are going” would finally bring clarity and Dortmund could reschedule. “We stay” might be better for all sides.
He still has so much time, Erling Haaland. It’s easy to forget that he’s only 21. Exactly 21 years and 183 days.
At that age, Robert Lewandowski was still playing for Lech Poznan in the rather second-class Polish league. He only switched to BVB a few days before his 22nd birthday. And was built carefully. He played 33 league games in his first season, but coach Klopp brought him off the bench 18 times as a joker. The result: from today’s perspective, a rather modest eight goals this season.
In the meantime, however, Lewandowski is regarded as the best center forward in the world. It remains to be seen whether the same will be said about Haaland one day.
