Erling Haaland heavy workload concerns have emerged after Norway manager Stale Solbakken admitted the Manchester City striker was “thoroughly spent” following a relentless run of matches for club and country.
The warning came after Norway’s UEFA Nations League encounter against Portugal, with Haaland withdrawn in the 67th minute after appearing exhausted and struggling to make his usual impact.
The Manchester City striker has been central to Norway’s campaign, but Solbakken believes the demanding football calendar is beginning to take a significant physical toll on his players.
Solbakken raises concern over Haaland
Speaking after the match, Solbakken highlighted the extraordinary demands placed on his leading players, particularly those who have had little time to recover between the end of the previous season and the start of the new campaign.
“He was simply thoroughly spent,” Solbakken remarked.
“Some of my players have only had six or seven days of holiday. And you do not live off your physical condition in a normal job. Then it is straight into the start of the season, followed by a mini-tournament, so it is an extreme strain.”
The Norway boss’ comments underline the physical challenge facing players who have been involved in a packed schedule with little opportunity for an extended recovery period.
For Haaland, the demands are particularly intense because he is regularly expected to lead both Manchester City and Norway’s attacks.
Haaland among players carrying heaviest workload
Solbakken explained that Haaland belongs to a group of players facing the greatest workload because Manchester City compete across multiple competitions and the striker is one of the club’s most important players.
“He’s in the group that carries the heaviest workload—precisely because his team plays in every tournament and he’s the main man.”
That workload has become a major consideration for Manchester City as the season progresses.
Haaland is not simply required to play regularly; he is also expected to produce goals and lead the line in high-pressure domestic and European fixtures.
The combination of club commitments and international football leaves limited opportunities for the Norway captain to recover fully.
Manchester City monitoring Haaland
With Haaland now returning to Manchester City following international duty, the club’s medical and coaching staff will be expected to monitor his physical condition closely.
The concern does not necessarily indicate a serious injury, but Solbakken’s assessment provides a clear warning about the level of fatigue affecting the striker.
Haaland’s withdrawal against Portugal after 67 minutes also demonstrated the importance of managing his workload when he appears physically drained.
Manchester City will have to balance their need for their leading striker with the long-term importance of keeping him fit throughout the campaign.
Demanding calendar creates challenge
The issue extends beyond Haaland and reflects a broader concern about the modern football calendar.
Players competing for elite clubs can face domestic league matches, cup competitions, European fixtures and international commitments within increasingly short periods.
For international stars, the situation can become even more demanding when major tournaments extend their seasons and reduce the length of their summer break.
Solbakken specifically pointed to Norway’s deep run into the World Cup as a factor behind the shortened off-season experienced by some of his players.
Having only six or seven days of holiday before returning to preparation leaves little time for complete physical and mental recovery.
That has made workload management particularly important as the new campaign continues.
Haaland faces busy Manchester City schedule
Manchester City will be keen to avoid overworking their star striker while ensuring he remains available for the matches that matter most.
Haaland’s importance to the team means that his absence would create a significant challenge for Pep Guardiola’s side, but pushing him too hard could also increase the risk of fatigue-related problems.
The Norway manager’s comments therefore provide an important reminder that even elite players can struggle when the football calendar leaves insufficient recovery time.
Haaland has built his reputation partly on his remarkable physical ability and consistency, but Solbakken’s warning suggests that even the Manchester City forward has limits.
His withdrawal against Portugal could consequently serve as an opportunity for both Norway and Manchester City to reassess how his minutes are managed.
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For Manchester City, keeping Haaland fit will be crucial as the club enters another demanding stretch of the season.
For Norway, meanwhile, the priority will be ensuring that their most important attacking player can continue contributing without being pushed beyond his physical limits.
The Erling Haaland heavy workload issue is therefore likely to remain a talking point as the season progresses, particularly if the Manchester City striker continues to combine a demanding club schedule with international commitments.
Solbakken’s “thoroughly spent” assessment has offered a stark reminder of the physical price elite footballers can pay when matches arrive with little time for recovery.
