Sebastien Haller has opened up after leaving West Ham in January to join Dutch giants Ajax for £22 million. The striker had a tough spell at the London Stadium and never enjoyed an extended period of good form.
Haller cost West Ham a club record £45 million when he joined from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 26-year-old was supposed to finally be the man that would be a regular goalscorer for the Hammers. Unfortunately, it did not work out like that, and after 53 appearances, 14 goals and three assists, he left the club.
The Ivorian international, however, has spoken to Talksport about his excitement when he joined West Ham. The club was being managed by Manuel Pellegrini and was partway through the Chilean’s project for the club. Haller believed that the move to the London Stadium would be a good step in his career.
"“When I heard about the project at West Ham it was a good step for me.”Haller on joining West Ham."
Sebastien Haller never got going at West Ham for multiple reasons, but wants to see his former club be successful in the future.
What happened though, was the complete opposite. After a good start for the club, Haller started to struggle for the Hammers. As the whole team’s performances started to decline after an injury to Lukasz Fabianski, they ended up in a relegation fight.
After the club started to struggle, the manager that brought Haller to the club was sacked and replaced by David Moyes. The Scottish manager wanted to change the mentality of the club entirely. Moyes wanted grafters and hard-workers, not individual talents. This meant Haller had to settle for a spot on the bench as Michail Antonio was converted into a striker in his place.
This time on the bench was not what Haller joined West Ham for. The striker has spoken of his frustration at the situation and how it was ‘not perfect’ for him. Haller is also saddened that he left the club ‘without doing something’, though fans will remember his spectacular goals against Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth and Sheffield United.
"“The situation in the club was not perfect for me. The set up was not perfect, I was not perfect. I’m frustrated I left without doing something.”Haller on leaving West Ham"
Despite the period frustrating Haller, who also had to deal with a lot of criticism from sections of the fanbase, he does not hold any bad blood. The striker wants the club to do well for the remainder of the season and has also spoken very highly of rising star Declan Rice.
"“I knew the potential of the team was here (West Ham) last season. Declan Rice has everything. technically good. Strong. Good Captain. He’s in the top two best players at West Ham. Potentially world-class. “I really hope that they will finish in the Champions League spots. It will be amazing for the club, fans and players. They deserve this.”Haller on West Ham’s season"
Since leaving West Ham, Haller has refound his form in the Netherlands. The striker has bagged seven goals and five assists in his first 11 appearances for Ajax.