Andy Cole blasts Jamie Carragher and says he’ll say whatever for a soundbite

On Feb 22, 2023

Manchester United legend Andy Cole has hit out at Jamie Carragher, suggesting the well-known pundit will say anything ‘for a soundbite’ after his comments on Erling Haaland.

The former Liverpool defender recently expressed his feelings that Haaland may have picked the wrong team to sign for in the summer by joining Manchester City as he was not getting the best platform to show off the “full package” and was only operating at “60 per cent”.

Former United treble-winner Dwight Yorke poured scorn on Carragher’s bold theory, branding him a “waffler”, and it appears Cole is in agreement with his old strike partner.

Speaking to Best Sports Betting Canada, Cole said: “It sounded like Dwight Yorke was down a warpath! I’m at the age now where I don’t get involved in that nonsense anymore.

“People like Jamie Carragher say things just to say things. If Erling Haaland continued his form from the start of the season, there would be no question that he made the wrong choice in joining Manchester City.

“Don’t forget, these were the same people that were saying ‘what a revelation Erling Haaland is at Manchester City’. Then he goes through a sticky patch, now the question is if he made the wrong decision.

Carragher has been blasted over his theory on Haaland’s move to Man City
(Image: Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)

“How has he made the wrong decision, five or six months into the season, and scored 26 goals in the Premier League? It was not a bad decision for Haaland to join Manchester City three or four months ago.”

Carragher raised his theory after City lost 1-0 to Tottenham in a game where a frustrated Haaland failed to make an impact. He explained how City’s dominance in matches forces opposing defences to minimise the space towards their own goal, giving Haaland a lot less room to work his magic.

He added his belief that City “are a different – and lesser team – with Haaland in the team,” though blamed Pe Guardiola’s tactics rather than the Norwegian. But Cole feels the questions are only being voiced amid Haaland’s less prolific run of late, where he has still scored five goals in his last 10 games.

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Erling Haaland has been told by Carragher he joined the wrong team – but Cole doesn’t agree
(Image: Getty Images)

“Haaland is totally different to what Manchester City usually have, he does not get involved in the play as much, but because they create so many chances, he scores goals,” Cole stated. “But sometimes when he does not get his usual service, people start to question whether he fits into the team, how is he not the right fit if he’s scored all these goals?

“If he had not scored as many goals as he did, then I would understand, but sometimes people just want soundbites. Teams might have realised how to defend against him, or Manchester City sometimes do not play to his strength with a ball in behind, and that might be what Haaland is not used to.”