There was a time when Erling Haaland’s transfer saga when doubt was cast about the Norwegian’s fitness, and whether it should influence the intentions of any big club to sign him.
Haaland was a footballer who was prone to injury? Did it make sense to gamble on him? Is there a way to fix it
The 22 year-old suffered 16 injuries during the 2021-22 season. Borussia DortmundBut, it’s now at Manchester City, he returns to Signal Iduna Park much fitter than many expected after that Bundesliga campaign.
In September last year, the German club reported that their former striker had suffered a muscular tear. Then at the end October, the problem was exacerbated by a hip flexor. In February, more muscle issues appeared.
Dortmund were never too specific on the diagnosis of the striker’s problems, but manager Marco Rose, now at RB LeipzigAt the end of last season, he admitted that his striker was suffering from pain while playing.
“We can’t stick the lad in an MRI tube if he doesn’t want it. He continues to train through the pain by grinding his teeth. All the swelling isn’t ideal, but it’s getting better.”
Haaland never missed a Bundesliga game between March and May. Yet despite playing in those 10 games, he only scored in three — six goals in total, but half of them from the penalty spot.
Dortmund experienced an injury-plagued campaign which led to the club making changes in their medical department. This included the departure of Thomas Zetzmann, the long-term head physio.
Sources from Germany, anonymous to protect their positions, admit it has been difficult for the club to find the reason for their injury struggles, which have continued this season — 13 first-team players have dealt with injuries already.
Haaland scored against Dortmund in Champions League last month (Photo by Michael Regan via Getty Images).
Manchester City was determined to prevent this from happening. they agreed a £51million ($57.5m) deal with Dortmund and a five-year deal with the footballer last May.
Haaland has missed just one game this year and is returning to his old home. In three months he’s played half the club games he managed in the whole previous season.
In fact, City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed the only game Haaland did not perform in — the last Champions League game at Copenhagen — was not down to any fitness worry.
“He finished the game against Southampton so, so tired and didn’t recover well. The next day he was a little better but not perfect, so we decided not to take the risk.”
Comparing this season’s record with last season, the decision is sensible. Haaland missed the first 12 Bundesliga matches of last season. His goal record was still tremendous — nine goals and four assists in the first six league matches — but injuries remained a concern throughout.
Guardiola revealed last September that his new striker arrived with “small problems after surgery in summer”, but Manchester City had designed a plan.
Haaland had his first medical exam as a City Player on May 9, 2018, at the Erasmus Hospital, Brussels. His move to England was not yet confirmed. However, a club physician flew to Belgium to perform the first round scans.
Next came the next step, which was completed as soon as possible. Premier League finished. City won the title on the second day. Two days later, the club sent Haaland directly to Barcelona with a private plane.
Ramon Cugat, Guardiola’s most trusted doctor, received Haaland at Hospital Quiron where the striker had more checks. The club’s plan was confirmed. Manchester City’s head of Sports Medicine, Max Sala, was also present.
Haaland didn’t end the season. For Haaland, there were still four Nations League games to play against Norway.
Guardiola and Haaland in training (Photo by Matt McNulty/Manchester City via Getty Images).
City players were done with summer holidays on July 11. This was the date that pre-season training began at the club. Guardiola was not happy with Haaland’s signing when he arrived at the training ground.
City wanted to make sure Haaland was in full force from the moment he could be on the pitch, and that’s why they decided to keep the Norwegian out of the initial sessions.
In fact, Haaland’s first training session with City was not in Manchester. It was held during the pre-season tour to the United States.
On July 17, Haaland was permitted to train part-time with the team in Houston. City had a friendly against Club America scheduled four days later, but Haaland wasn’t allowed to make his debut.
City did not want to rush his return. City instead gave him additional days to prepare before his debut at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, on July 24th, during a 45-minute match against Bayern Munich.
The striker’s body responded perfectly well to all the load management applied by City’s medical staff, This meant that he could begin at the Community ShieldLater, in the Premier League.
“Always I said to the club, the most important department in the backroom staff, everyone is important, but the most important is the physios,” said Guardiola at a press conference. “They take care of the lads.
“Erling last season struggled a lot in Dortmund, most of the year he was injured. He started to work with Mario (Pafundi, the club’s physio), with Federico (Genovesi) and other guys. Thanks to them, and of course his work ethic, he can play regularly, which last season wasn’t possible.”
The City faces the toughest Champions League game. This is partially due to the staff and the plan.
(Top photo: Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images
