Until recently, Norway’s association had hoped that Erling Haaland would play in the upcoming international matches. That hope, however, is likely to have been put to rest by recent comments from BVB’s head of licensed players Sebastian Kehl. However, the striker is expected to return against Mainz.
Nobody likes to do without a striker like Erling Haaland. That goes for BVB coach Marco Rose – but of course also for Norway’s national coach Stole Solbakken. But just as the former had to make do without the 21-year-old against Mönchengladbach, Lisbon and Augsburg, the latter will have to cope without Haaland against Turkey and Montenegro. For at the moment, there is no thought of the Norwegian playing, according to BVB licence player manager Sebastian Kehl.
“At the moment, Erling is not yet in a position to train, let alone play in a match,” Kehl told kicker on Sunday and pleaded for the striker to be given the necessary time to recover – in Haaland’s interest and in the interest of the club, which should be weighted higher than that of the national association: “The club must be the most important thing in the end,” Kehl demanded. “With all understanding for the interests of the federation, we must not take any risks with him now.” BVB coach Marco Rose had already demanded something similar on Saturday.
Trip to Norway not planned
It is still conceivable that Haaland will make a short visit to the Norwegian association in order to be checked out by the association’s medical staff and to talk to Stolbakken in person. According to kicker information, however, this is not currently planned. The club would prefer Haaland to be able to recover without the stress of travelling and in peace and quiet – so that he can soon be back in the hunt for goals for BVB. As things stand, the exceptional striker is scheduled to return for the home match against Mainz on 16 October. “I strongly expect Erling to be back on the pitch by then,” Kehl said on Sunday.
