Dietmar Hamann: Borussia Dortmund will be better without Erling Haaland next season

Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich player Dietmar Hamann believes that Borussia Dortmund will be better without Erling Haaland if he leaves the club in the summer.

It looks increasingly likely that Erling Haaland will leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window, with Manchester City the favourites for his signature. The English Premier League side have reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with the striker. And they are now said to be planning to trigger the exit clause in his contract in the coming weeks.

Haaland is Borussia Dortmund’s leading goalscorer this season, and has found the back of the net 82 times in just 85 appearances since joining the club in January 2020. So the BVB bosses will have their work cut out as they look to find a replacement for the Norwegian international in the summer.

But former Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann feels that the BVB fans and the club are fed up with all the media speculation surrounding Haaland’s future. In an interview with BILD, Hamann said:

"“I think that not only the fans, but also the team and the club are fed up with the whole circus. At BVB, players will score goals even without Haaland. That has always been the case. I actually think it will help Dortmund in the short or medium term if Haaland is no longer there.”“He drew a lot of attention to himself. Then he did his lap of honor in front of the Südtribüne alone in the winter. His gestures, his waving off and his body language have been disrespectful at times. He missed a lot of games and you also have to remember that BVB also suffered defeats with him. That’s why I think Haaland is better off elsewhere. And I also believe that Dortmund will benefit from the money they will get for him.”"

Hamann also added that he believes the impending departure of Haaland will give the other players in the Borussia Dortmund squad a chance to shine.

"“Without Haaland there is also a huge opportunity. Maybe a Malen will blossom, for whom it has not been easy to score goals next to Haaland. I believe that BVB, with the players they’ve already brought in, will be better without Haaland next season than with him.”"

Despite Erling Haaland’s struggles this season, he has still managed to score 25 goals and register eight assists in just 26 appearances across all competitions. With just four games left before the end of the season, the 21 year old will be looking to end his Borussia Dortmund career on a high before leaving in the summer.