MARTIN KEOWN TALKS TACTICS: Erling Haaland will NOT have it easy against the beastly Brentford lads, despite the Norwegian’s ruthless start to the season

As I write this I can almost hear the lack of empathy from my Mail Sport sparring partner Simon Jordan in my ears, but it’s no coincidence that this season’s two best players have both had quiet summers.

That’s Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. They didn’t live out of their suitcases for weeks like everyone else at the European Championship.

They were hibernating. Healing. Waiting to be unleashed on the unfortunate souls who dared to quench their insatiable thirst for Premier League goals.

There needs to be a serious debate about the ridiculous workload footballers are put under these days as they are forced to perform over and over again in what seems to be a survival of the fittest.

Perhaps when Simon turns his eyes back to the striker position he will remind me how well Premier League players are paid for their efforts.

It’s no coincidence that this season’s two best players, Erling Haaland (pictured) and Mohamed Salah, have both had quiet summers

Brentford won’t let Haaland walk to a historic third consecutive hat-trick on Saturday

That’s true, but we don’t want to kill our golden geese. We want to see them fly, and Haaland and Salah are living proof that less is more.

While I would have loved to take on Haaland in my prime, I’ll happily leave it to Brentford’s centre-backs on Saturday.

That’s if Haaland feels ready to play after the sad news of the passing of family friend Ivar Eggja. The Manchester City striker has been tireless this season, and he looks even better now that he’s recharged — he’s scored more goals than 17 Premier League clubs on his own.

If he does start, Brentford won’t be letting him stroll to a historic third hat-trick in a row. You’ll struggle to find a club with a bigger group of beastly defenders.

Nathan Collins, 1.93m. Ethan Pinnock, 1.93m. Kristoffer Ajer, 1.98m. And Ben Mee, who is smaller at 1.80m but has a history of fights with Haaland, with the two pinching each other in the back.

There is nothing wrong with that of course. I have tried that tactic myself. You have to let your opponent know that he will not have an easy time with you, and that you will not only be his passenger.

Whoever he chooses to mark Haaland, it will be vital that he blocks the path for the City striker and prevents him from making those quick dashes into scoring positions.

The Bees’ tall and physical defenders Ben Mee (far left) and Ethan Pinnock (centre) will make things difficult for the Norwegian striker

Brentford manager Thomas Frank faced a dilemma during the international break: how should he line up his team to stop City? Namely, should he play with three or four defenders?

When Brentford have faced the strongest teams in the Premier League in the past, they have usually relied on a three, with the wingbacks dropping back to form a five. But Frank has used a four in every game this season, including away at Liverpool.

Whatever system he chooses, Brentford will need to play at their absolute best against Haaland to avoid him wreaking havoc on a team again after his return from a summer break.