Ex-Man City Defender Colin Hendry Struggles to Find a Way to Stop Erling Haaland

Colin Hendry, once a defender for Manchester City, shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview with GOAL about how he might try to contain Erling Haaland. The former defender admits that stopping the prolific striker is a challenge with no easy answer.

Haaland’s Scoring Record

The Norwegian forward has become part of football's elite, leaving most defenders struggling to keep up. Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes is often seen as one of the few who have come close to containing Haaland, having faced him repeatedly in Premier League matches. Still, even he has had to acknowledge Haaland's dominance at times.

• Goals in Premier League: 112
• Total goals for Manchester City: 162
• Appearances for City: 198
• Golden Boots won: 3
• Part of Treble-winning squad: 2022-23 season

Haaland’s Commitment to Man City

Manchester City secured Haaland on a remarkable 10-year contract running until 2034, ensuring he will continue to be a major threat in the Premier League for years. Despite interest from clubs like Real Madrid, Haaland remains focused on success at City, aiming for more trophies and possibly a Ballon d’Or.

Is There a Way to Stop Haaland?

With Haaland showing no signs of slowing down after his World Cup debut for Norway, the question remains: does he have any weaknesses? When asked, Hendry responded bluntly, "F*ck knows!" He pointed out how Gabriel Magalhaes handles Haaland, calling him "a class act." Hendry reflected on his own experience defending against the great Ronaldo in 1998, comparing the physical challenge Haaland presents.

"I’m not saying Haaland is the modern Ronaldo, but you have to think about what centre-backs feel facing these players. Haaland running at you full speed is like a juggernaut coming," Hendry said.

He mentioned other legendary forwards like Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero, and Romario but emphasized Haaland’s unique impact on defenders. Hendry suggested a tactic involving trying to unsettle Haaland, going old-school by winding him up to provoke a reaction, though he wasn’t sure if current players have the fitness or physicality for that approach.

Looking Ahead to the New Season

Haaland has resumed training for the 2026-27 season under new manager Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola. Fans can expect him to lead Manchester City with the same force as always.

• Upcoming fixtures:
• Community Shield vs Arsenal in Cardiff on August 16, 2026
• Premier League opener vs Bournemouth at home on August 23, 2026