Green Street Hammers
Fansided

Three West Ham players with the most to prove

By Henry Tomlinson

West Ham United's Brazilian midfielder Felipe Anderson reacts after missing a chance during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on January 10, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
West Ham United's Brazilian midfielder Felipe Anderson reacts after missing a chance during the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on January 10, 2020. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next

Sébastien Haller

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 26: Sébastien Haller of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sheffield United at London Stadium on October 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 26: Sébastien Haller of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Sheffield United at London Stadium on October 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images) /

West Ham United have been chasing a 15-20 goal per season striker for the entirety of recent memory, and many fans believed Haller would finally fill that void. Signed for £45 million from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, the Frenchman has only scored seven goals for the Hammers.

Much of Haller’s mixed form has come down to systems he has been used in, and it not always suiting his playing style. Haller relies on service and having players close for him to bring into the match. The best of Haller has only been seen when Michail Antonio has played alongside him.

West Ham has some big games coming up against fellow relegation candidates Norwich City, Watford and Aston Villa. The Hammers will be looking to win these games to confirm their Premier League status for next season.

Haller should be feeling positive about these games having scored against Norwich and Watford in the reverse fixtures. Villa also has the worse defensive record in the league, which should be enough to wet Haller’s appetite.

Related Story. All Signs Point to West Ham Flirting With a New Formation. light

West Ham needs Haller to step up and show why the club invested so much money on bringing him to the London Stadium. Haller should look to produce his best football not only to secure West Ham’s safety but also his own future.

It would be expected that should West Ham be relegated to the Championship, Haller won’t be hanging around for too long. Haller will find his options become much more appealing if he scores over ten goals in the Premier League (over the whole season) than if he fails to hit that benchmark at all.

Haller has managed to score in each of West Ham’s warm-up games against QPR and Crystal Palace respectively. So hopefully he can carry that form in the Premier League and show it when it matters.