'His brain isn't his best asset' - Haaland defended after Keane jibe

Erling Haaland has been defended by his fellow professionals Tom Cairney and Michail Antonio following criticism from Roy Keane.

The Sky Sports pundit claimed following Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal last week that the 23-year-old Norwegian’s general play was akin to a “League Two player” after he was marked out of the contest by William Saliba and Gabriel.

"The levels of his general play is so poor, and not just today,” Keane said on punditry duty.

“His general play for such a player, it is so poor, I think he has to improve that, he's almost like a League Two player."

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Keane’s comments were refuted during the week by Pep Guardiola, who hit back at Keane in the strongest terms.

"I don't agree with him, absolutely not," the City manager said

Haaland was a contender for the Ballon d’Or last year, winning the treble in his first season with City, netting 52 goals in 53 games overall.

This season the striker’s goal average has fallen slightly but he still remains, arguably, the best frontman in the world.

Real Madrid are reported to be interested in adding Haaland to their all-star array of attackers in 2025, with Haaland’s City contract containing a release clause.

Tom Cairney and Michail Antonio aren't having Roy Keane's comments about Erling Haaland 🛑

Thoughts? 🤔#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/UGSHzU8rmh

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) April 5, 2024

And now Fulham midfielder Cairney has described the former Borussia Dortmund man as a “straight killer”, while West Ham forward Antonio also believes that Keane was wrong in his comments.

Haaland is a straight killer

"Is his [Haaland's] football brain his best asset? No,” Cairney told BBC’s The Players Channel.

“But you don't buy Erling Haaland for that. Do you want him to come down in the 10 [position], turn and switch a 30, 40-yard pass like Harry Kane? No. He's a straight killer. Let him do what he does.

“He's got nearly 250 goals and he's 23 years old. He does the hardest thing in the world and he sticks the ball in the back of the net."

Antonio says it’s no surprise that Keane has come out with his criticism of Haaland, adding that time might not be the kindest judge to the former Manchester United captain’s style of play either.

"If you're going to mark someone on one thing that they don't do, then everybody's terrible,” he said.

“When Roy Keane was playing someone could have called him a 'brute', 'he's a chopper'. Roy Keane is known for these comments, these crazy comments so no one is going to be surprised by it.

“You always forget the negative side of things, you always think about the positive. Like me, mate, when I retire, [I will say] I was probably better than [Cristiano] Ronaldo."