Why Erling Haaland is currently most transferred-out player ahead of Gameweek 22 despite prolific form

ERLING HAALAND (£7.9m) is currently the most transferred-out player ahead Gameweek 22.

Even during rare fallow spells it’s rare for Dream Team managers to turn their backs on Manchester City’s prolific striker so it may seem utterly perplexing why his popularity is dipping now he’s back among the most in-form players in the game.

Allow us to explain.

Firstly, it’s important to note that Haaland has quietly regained his best form in recent outings.

The Norwegian poacher scored one and assisted another for a 15-point haul as Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1 on Sunday.

This followed a profitable Gameweek 20 when he scored against both Ipswich and PSG for a combined return of 21 points.

At the time of writing, only Justin Kluivert (£3.6m) and Alexander Isak (£6.1m) have taken more points than Haaland from their last three outings.

More broadly, goals in three consecutive games means the big No9 now has 24 in all competitions, the outright highest tally in the game.

Clearly, Dream Team bosses are not ditching Haaland due to form issues.

The reason he has already been removed from a few thousand teams is because of the schedule.

Man City have just one fixture to fulfil in Gameweek 22 and a difficult one on paper in the form of Arsenal at the Emirates – the Gunners are the only team yet to lose a home game in the top flight this campaign.

Naturally, gaffers will be more interested in the four teams set to fulfil two fixtures in Gameweek 22 because of the Carabao Cup semi-final second legs: Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle.

Such is Haaland’s pedigree, he may well breach Mikel Arteta’s defence and continue his prosperous form but the decision to replace him with a forward with better prospects in Gameweek 22 is an understandable one.

Mohamed Salah (£8m), Cody Gakpo (£4.7m), Son Heung-min (£5m), Kai Havertz (£4.7m) and the aforementioned Isak all have 180+ points to their name plus two fixtures in the diary for Gameweek 22.

And that’s just the forwards, Anthony Gordon (£5.3m) and Dejan Kulusevski (£4.4m) are among the strong midfield options prior to the next deadline.

One thing to note is that while Man City currently have just one fixture scheduled for Gameweek 23 (against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup) that will change if they can secure a place in the Champions League knockout phase play-offs – a win at home to Club Brugge on Wednesday will do the trick.

Should that come to pass, Guardiola’s side will play the first leg of the play-off in Gameweek 23 and the second leg in Gameweek 24.

So why Haaland may disappear from a few teams this week, the shoe might be on the other foot soon enough.

Plus, Gameweek 21 isn’t done yet with six fixtures still to complete – things can change very quickly in the world of Dream Team.