Ghana Premier League legend Charles Taylor has defended his controversial statement against Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, insisting that his teammate, Ishmael Addo, was a better footballer than the Norwegian.

Clarifying his earlier statement, which attracted massive backlash on social media, Taylor questioned Haaland's ability to deliver in big matches and also score important goals.

"Haaland doesn't perform in big games. As a striker, he only gets four touches and ends up scoring. Only a handful of the goals he has scored are important goals. That doesn't make him better than someone playing here," he told Happy FM.

Comparing Haaland with Hearts of Oak's iconic striker Ismael Addo, Taylor quizzed whether anyone would choose Haaland to start in Hearts' treble-winning squad in 2000.

"If we talk about our team then, would you start Haaland over Ismael Addo? Sometimes you have to be fair. Playing abroad doesn't make you a good player."

Ismael Addo is rated as the best striker in the history of the Ghana Premier League. He won three Golden Boots from 1998 to 2001.

EE/EK