Manchester City may have a new Erling Haaland concern to consider

As one tired and increasingly dull debate over a striker who has already scored 32 goals this season abates, here comes another.

The talk for much of the campaign has been about Manchester City adapting to Erling Haaland and Erling Haaland adapting to Manchester City. Can the Blues get used to playing with an outright striker after years of false-9s and midfielders up front? Can the Norwegian sensation acclimatise to Pep Guardiola's unique methods and still be as lethal in a side that is more patient in its build-up play?

The answer to both is yes. Haaland has scored goals at a ridiculous rate and City remain a tremendous team after the changes. There have been problems and it hasn't been completely smooth sailing but as the manager is always quick to point out, that's football.

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City's remarkable form in recent years was an outlier. The fact it was maintained for so long makes it all the more impressive. They smashed records and went on never-seen-before winning streaks.

They were operating at an extraordinary level but eventually ordinary returns - even if ordinary is still bloody good in City's case. It's near impossible for any sportsperson or team to remain at such a level for so long. Lionel Messi, Michael Jordan, Jimmy Anderson and only a handful of others managed to do so but it's a rarity. It's what makes them so special.

Guardiola has repeatedly stated that a drop-off was inevitable and he isn't surprised by his side's inconsistency. It almost certainly would have come regardless of Haaland's arrival. Where would they be if he wasn't signed in the summer?

There have been games when Haaland has cut a solitary figure up front, with