Haaland is leading Golden Boot but scoring at his lowest rate over last 5 years

There's no doubt Erling Haaland's rise to prominence has been nothing short of spectacular. From his breakout performances at Borussia Dortmund to his transition to Manchester City, the Norwegian striker has consistently hit the headlines for his goal-scoring prowess.

Or, at least he did. Despite leading the Premier League scoring charts with 18 goals - two more than a trio of players tied for second-place - Haaland has come under criticism for his all-round play and eye-catching misses this term.

Since a lengthy lay-off due to a stress fracture either side of the new year, he has found the net in three of his nine outings and grabbed a brace in only one. His numbers remain impressive but represent a drop-off from his previous output.

Roy Keane even went as far as calling Haaland a 'League Two player' following Manchester City's 0-0 draw with Arsenal. He questioned the striker's general ability given he had 23 touches during the game, no shots on target, nor key passes as the home side fell two points behind the Premier League leaders Liverpool.

So, with the above in mind, Mail Sport have taken a look at how Haaland is performing this season despite being the Premier League's highest goal scorer so far this term.

Goal-scoring maestro...

Haaland's ability to find the back of the net with alarming frequency has been a defining feature of his game. He established himself as one of Europe's most lethal forwards during his time at Dortmund, scoring 16 goals in the 2019-2020 season.

However, a move to Manchester City in the 2022/2023 campaign brought about a surge in his goal-scoring rate. He netted 10 goals in six appearances, the joint-fastest player in the history of the competition to reach that tally, alongside Micky Quinn back in 1992.

It wasn't just Premier League records that Haaland was breaking when he joined Pep Guardiola's side. He bagged a brace against Seville to become the first City player to score on their Premier League and Champions League debut, following his brace at West Ham in the league.

Haaland's second goal against Seville marked his 25th goal in the Champions League after time at Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund. As a result, he became the youngest player to reach such a tally in Europe's most prestigious competition.

He didn't stop there. He became the fastest player to score three Premier League hat-tricks, the first player to score in seven successive Premier League games for City, the first player to score 20 Premier League goals before January, the first top-flight player to score 50 goals in a season since 1931. The list goes on.

So, it comes as no surprise Haaland has not yet beaten his goal-scoring record from last season. Plus, his opponents are doing everything in their power to stop him from getting the ball.

Just look at City's game with Arsenal on the weekend. Arsenal's central defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel were almost always touch-tight to the forward throughout the tie.

However, Haaland is experiencing a significant drop in goal scoring form this season. He is only managing 0.80 goals per 90 minutes - his lowest over the last five years.

Versatility beyond goals...

While Haaland's goal-scoring exploits often steal the spotlight, his contribution extends beyond finding the back of the net. Haaland's assist numbers showcase a steady progression, particularly during his tenure at Dortmund.

Haaland provided 0.17 assists per 90 minutes during his debut season at Dortmund. That rose to 0.22 in the 2020-2021 season before rising again to 0.33 during the 2021-2022 season.

However, his assist stats dropped to 0.26 during his first season with Manchester City. Although, it's not entirely surprising considering Haaland's role within the squad.

Kevin De Bruyne and City's other midfielder maestros tend to enjoy the lions share of possession, circulating the ball between them before finding the likes of Haaland in the box.

It's something that was highlighted during Sergio Aguero's time under Guardiola. He averaged over 50 touches per 90 minutes prior to Guardiola's arrival before dipping to 40 touches in the following seasons.

Additionally, the majority of Haaland's goals come from close range. He benefits from the service of those around him and isn't too fussed about the number of touches he gets during a game.

However, that being said, the number of assists Haaland has provided this season has dropped in comparison to last season.

Last year, Haaland provided 0.26 assists per 90 minutes, whereas this season he is only providing 0.22.

While not his primary responsibility, it's important Haaland maintains a willingness to create opportunities for teammates.

Something Keane believes the Norwegian striker is neglecting.

Attacking impetus...

A striker's potency is often measured by the frequency and precision of their shots. Total shots and shots on target per 90 minutes shed light on Haaland's attacking impetus.

Haaland's insatiable appetite for goals is palpable in his shot generation, with a consistent increase in both total shots and shots on target over the last five years at both Dortmund and Manchester City.

During the 2019-2020 campaign at Dortmund, Haaland provided 2.9 shots per 90 minutes - with 1.7 shots on target. This increased to 3.5 shots during the 2020-2021 season and 3.8 during the 2021/2022.

Haaland continued to create opportunities at Manchester City - registering 4.0 shots per 90 mins during his maiden campaign with the Premier League giants and 4.2 shots per 90 minute in the current campaign.

Haaland has also registered his highest number of shots on target per 90 mins during the current campaign - 2.0. Therefore, despite changes in clubs and playing styles, his accuracy remains commendable, showcasing his ability to trouble opposing defenses with his lethal finishing.

Tactical adaptation and team impact...

Beyond individual statistics, Haaland's influence on team performance is substantial. Win percentage reflects the correlation between his contributions and team success.

It's widely believed that Haaland's presence often translates into victories for his team, with his goals and overall impact proving decisive in securing positive results. However, the stats say differently.

Manchester City's win percentage with Haaland this season is 62per cent. Without Haaland their win percentage is 82per cent. They 18.3 shots per game without Haaland compared to 18.2 shots per game with Haaland.

City also complete 74.1 passes into the final third (with an accuracy of 87per cent) without Haaland and 64.6 passes into the final third (with an accuracy of 84per cent) with Haaland.

However, City do concede less fouls when Haaland is on the pitch and do play more crosses into the box - which is hardly surprising given the Norwegian's dominance in the air.

Defensive contribution...

A complete analysis of Haaland's game extends beyond offensive metrics. Defensive contributions, such as interceptions per 90 minutes, offer insight into his work rate and discipline.

While not his primary duty, Haaland's willingness to engage defensively has always showcased his commitment to team objectives and tactical instructions. The Norwegian striker is currently making more tackles per 90 minutes than he did last season.

He is also winning more duels this season than he did last. However, the Norwegian striker has made just one intercept this season, meaning the average number of intercepts he makes per 90 minutes is zero. It's never been a particularly high number for Haaland, but he three last season and four during his time at Dortmund.

Evolution of style...

Haaland's playing style has undergone subtle transformations over the years, reflected in metrics such as passes per 90 minutes. His shifting role within different teams and systems is evident in his passing numbers.

Haaland's number of passes per 90 minutes has dropped since joining Manchester City. During the 2019-2020 season at Dortmund, Haaland was making 19.5 passes per game, whereas this season he is only making 12.6.

However, that comes down to the role Haaland is playing. Guardiola is making the most of Haaland's goal scoring abilities, having operated with only false nines for a substantial period of time before his arrival.

The likes of De Bruyne and Rodri are responsible for finding Haaland - meaning the Norwegian striker can focus on staying in the danger zone rather than dropping into the midfield third.

Additionally, Haaland's height and positioning can allows him to press in the final third, unlike alternatives like Phil Foden tends to drop into the middle third.