Shut people up! Ex-Chelsea midfielder sends strong message to Man City’s Erling Haaland

Former Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has urged Manchester City striker, Erling Braut Haaland, to step up during big games for his side, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 24-year-old has scored 30 goals in 42 games across all competitions for the Cityzens this season, but he was kept quiet in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. City lost the game, confirming they’ll be going trophyless this campaign.

Pep Guardiola’s side had an opportunity to go level in the second half from twelve yards, but Haaland, who’s scored 16 penalty goals in the Premier League, didn’t step up. Instead, it was Omar Marmoush, and the Egyptian forward saw his effort denied by Dean Henderson.

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Mikel, who won the FA Cup four times, bit into Haaland’s apple and questioned the striker’s hunger to see his name up in the lights whenever he’s involved in big games.

“I’ve said what I had to say about Haaland. I think he’s Manchester City’s main man with Kevin De Bruyne leaving. He has a nine-year contract, which means they want to build the team around him.

“Pep believes in him, and we know what an amazing footballer is when it comes to goals. He’s the best finisher in world football today, there’s no doubt about it, but can he do it in the big games?

“Can he do it in the semi-finals, in the finals? He’s not done it so far for City in those big games. The penalty was an opportunity to shut everybody up to score in a big game, but he didn’t take it,” the one-time UEFA Europa League winner said on the Obi One Podcast.

The former Super Eagles captain admitted that even one of the greatest-ever Premier League players has a bit of taint on his record because he didn’t step up in big games.

“When people ask me about the best-ever player to have graced the Premier League, I always say Thierry Henry, but you know what they come back with. Has he ever scored in a cup final? He never did with Arsenal, and you can’t argue that.

“So for me, Haaland should shut people up and take responsibility in the big games. Drogba will not pass a penalty to anyone else in a big game, nor will Lampard. That was my only argument: Haaland should’ve stepped up. You’re the man.

“They believe in you, they trust you, and when it’s time to repay them, you pass on the responsibility. I hope he takes it next time,” Mikel Obi concluded.

Things could get worse for Manchester City if they fail to win their final league game next weekend against AFC Bournemouth, as they risk losing qualification to the UEFA Champions League next summer.