Erling Haaland is a strong contender for Premier League Player of the Year despite criticism

Erling Haaland continues to produce numbers that would make most seasons feel settled in the Premier League awards race, yet the conversation around him remains strangely restrained.

After Manchester City's 2-1 win over Newcastle United, even Pep Guardiola offered warmer praise than usual for his No. 9. The performance was not defined solely by goals, but by the kind of all-around effort that underscores why Haaland deserves stronger consideration as the league's Player of the Year.

Haaland's display against Newcastle was one of his most complete in a City shirt. He won four more duels than he ever has in a Premier League match, setting the tone physically and keeping defenders under constant pressure. That work rate helped secure an important victory that keeps City within striking distance of Arsenal at the top of the table with 11 games remaining. In a title race that may hinge on small margins, those contributions matter.

Haaland thrives under pressure

Guardiola has consistently held Haaland to exceptional standards, largely because the striker sets them himself. His goal-scoring ability often defies explanation. He makes difficult finishes look routine and thrives in tight spaces that would stall most forwards. Ironically, that consistency can work against him in the public discourse. When goals become expected, they are taken for granted.

There is also a lingering narrative that Haaland is a specialist rather than a complete footballer, as if scoring at an unprecedented rate is somehow a narrow skill set. The numbers challenge that view. He leads the league's scoring chart by five goals and has 29 goal contributions this season. He is on pace to reach 40 if he maintains his current rate. Those are benchmarks typically reserved for the league's elite across eras.

Beyond scoring, Haaland's broader impact has grown as the season has progressed. After a winter stretch when his energy dipped, his work rate has returned. Against Newcastle, he delivered a measured chip into the box that Nico O'Reilly converted with a header. Earlier in the campaign, he provided a crucial assist for Bernardo Silva at Anfield. With seven assists in league play, only Bruno Fernandes has more. That production places Haaland among the most complete attacking forces in England, not merely the most prolific finisher.

More contenders for Player of the Year

Still, the Player of the Year debate appears more open than his output might suggest. Declan Rice has been instrumental for Arsenal and would be a worthy winner if he guides the club to its first title under Mikel Arteta. But it is difficult to identify another player whose direct contributions have matched Haaland's impact in both goals and assists.

Criticism has also come from high-profile pundits such as Jamie Carragher, who recently suggested that Haaland does not consistently excel in the biggest matches. That narrative overlooks the cumulative pressure he places on top defenses and the space he creates for teammates. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and defender Dan Burn witnessed firsthand how disruptive he can be over 90 minutes.

With the title race tightening, City's run-in presents Haaland with another opportunity to reshape the conversation. If he maintains his current level and drives City past Arsenal in the closing weeks, the case will be difficult to ignore. In a league defined by fine margins, no player has influenced the scoreboard more directly. For a team chasing another championship, that alone should carry significant weight in the Player of the Year debate.