Erling Haaland's work rate has been called into question and Arsenal and Liverpool have been told that Manchester City are "not as good" as before.
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Man City "not as good as before"Arsenal & Liverpool have big shot at titleHaaland's work rate questionedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes this is the season for Arsenal or Liverpool to dethrone City as Premier League champions as their dominance has diminished somewhat. He also said Pep Guardiola's team are not quite as effective with their pressing game, and that Haaland doesn't press at all.
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He told Lucky Block: "I think if Arsenal or Liverpool want to win the Premier League title, this is the year to do it. I’m looking at this Manchester City team and I don’t think they’re as good as some of the City teams we’ve seen in previous seasons. I was actually quite shocked when they played Fulham at home, Fulham played a really, really good game and had the ball for long periods of time.
"If you remember when Man City was on top and destroying teams, when they lost the ball, they used to get it back really quickly and you couldn't keep the ball against them. Their press used to be so good. I don't know if teams have become better, or they have become worse. I think it's the latter, because they've got Haaland, and Haaland doesn't press as much – even though they are top of the league and on this long unbeaten run, I don’t think they’re as good as they used to be.
"They also have some difficult games coming up. They haven’t played Liverpool yet. They haven’t played Tottenham. They haven’t played Villa, and they haven’t played Manchester United yet. City have some tough games to come. If you’re competing against them, you need to be ready to take advantage of any slip ups."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite Hasselbaink's remarks, City are still top of the Premier League table and have done that without talisman Rodri – who is out for the season with injury. The Citizens are still the team to beat and with Guardiola at the helm, they will take some stopping as they bid to win a record-extending fifth-straight Premier League title. But this may be their toughest season yet.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Haaland's City side will hope to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League, with Guardiola's team currently one point ahead of Liverpool in second, when they travel to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
