Erling Haaland game intelligence highlighted as new research reveals scanning advantage over Premier League rivals

Erling Haaland’s dominance in front of goal has long been clear, but new research has highlighted another element behind the striker’s extraordinary impact.

According to findings from football technology experts Be Your Best, the Manchester City forward scans the pitch up to 50 per cent more frequently than other Premier League strikers, underlining the importance of game intelligence alongside physical and technical ability.

The concept of ‘scanning’ has become an increasingly important metric for analysts, coaches, and recruitment departments, widely seen as a key indicator of spatial awareness, anticipation, and decision-making speed.

Research conducted by Professor Geir Jordet, co-founder of Be Your Best, shows the average Premier League forward scans approximately 0.28 times per second.

By contrast, Erling Haaland has been recorded scanning at rates of up to 0.50 scans per second in certain matches – almost double that of many opposing strikers, and even higher than some midfielders.

Video analysis also highlights how Haaland’s scanning works in tandem with his movement. Sharp fakes, explosive accelerations, and powerful bursts of pace make him extremely difficult to track, while his awareness allows him to react quicker than defenders once the ball arrives.

Combined with his balance and physical strength, the Norwegian international consistently gains decisive advantages in the penalty area.

Be Your Best believe it is this intelligence that makes Haaland so effective, with the Oslo-based company using virtual reality and cognitive science to help players train their decision-making and awareness, revealing Haaland used the platform during his formative years as he developed into one of world football’s most feared strikers.

The technology is already in use across the professional game, with one study involving the Germany Under-17 national team showing a 29 per cent increase in scanning rates after just nine weeks.

The platform, which operates on Meta Quest VR headsets, places players in immersive match scenarios designed to improve decision-making speed and perception.

Be Your Best CEO Andreas Olsen explained that scanning is a skill that can be developed at any age, noting that Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard used the system during injury rehabilitation to maintain his mental sharpness.

As football continues to evolve, Erling Haaland’s example reinforces Manchester City’s reputation not only for producing elite athletes, but for embracing innovation, intelligence, and marginal gains – qualities that increasingly define success at the very top of the game.