Enzo Maresca’s blunt admission that Erling Haaland may need to be dropped from Manchester City’s starting lineup has sent a clear message: the Norwegian’s workload is unsustainable. After scoring 10 goals in nine games—a rate that would have been unimaginable even in his breakout 2021 season—Haaland’s role is now under scrutiny, not just for tactical reasons but for the physical toll of City’s relentless schedule. The revelation came in the wake of a 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, a game that exposed the strain on City’s frontline, though Haaland himself was not a factor in the loss. What it confirmed, however, was the reality Maresca has long acknowledged: at some point, even the most lethal striker in the Premier League cannot play every match.
The timing could not be worse. With Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town sandwiched between two midweek Champions League games—first against AEK Athens next Tuesday, then a return to Paris—Maresca’s options are limited. The manager’s words were direct: ‘At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off.’ The implication is unavoidable: Haaland’s place in the starting XI is no longer a given. The challenge for Maresca is balancing Haaland’s scoring threat with the need to preserve his fitness, especially as City’s defense—already stretched thin—faces fresh challenges in both domestic and European competitions. The loss to PSG, where Ayyoub Bouaddi’s late substitution proved decisive, underscores the precariousness of City’s squad depth. If Haaland is rested, who steps in? The answer may lie in the midfield, where Enzo Fernandez and Rodri (still recovering from back surgery) will carry even greater responsibility.
Haaland himself has shown no signs of fatigue, arriving at the start of the season with the confidence of a player who has never been more lethal. ‘I feel really fresh, I feel sharp,’ he declared after City’s Asia tour, where his form was a constant reminder of why he remains the Premier League’s most dangerous forward. Yet even Haaland’s own words hint at the pressure: ‘It’s up to you whether you put the ball in the back of the net.’ The expectation is now on him to sustain this level of output, but Maresca’s admission suggests the manager is preparing for the moment when City’s tactical flexibility must override Haaland’s individual brilliance. The captaincy debate—long mooted as a way to motivate Haaland—has been quietly shelved. Maresca’s tactic of sending the skipper to the touchline after goals is a subtle nod to the team’s collective responsibility, not an endorsement of Haaland as a leader. With Rodri’s injury and the transfer window’s uncertainty, the focus remains on survival, not ambition.
The broader implications are clear: Manchester City’s season is now defined by two parallel crises—one tactical, one logistical. The first is the question of Haaland’s rotation, a decision that could reshape City’s attacking options overnight. The second is the realization that even the most dominant squad in the Premier League is not immune to the laws of fatigue. The Champions League defeat to PSG was a wake-up call, proving that City’s dominance at home does not translate seamlessly to Europe. With Haaland’s workload under scrutiny and the squad’s depth tested, Maresca’s next moves will determine whether City can maintain their title defense or if this season will be remembered as a missed opportunity. One thing is certain: the era of Haaland playing every match is ending. The question is whether City can adapt before it’s too late.
