West Ham may have left it late to work things out this season, but they finally have, and it’s apparent that Sebastien Haller is a world-class striker when he has a partner. It’s not like going from playing off of Luka Jovic to being isolated as a lone forward should have impacted him that much, though, Manuel? Should it?
No, of course, Manuel Pellegrini couldn’t get it right with Haller, and it eventually told as his £45m man (BBC) wasn’t firing, the team was underperforming and now changes have been made, but even under David Moyes the realisation has been made that Haller needs a partner and the whole team plays better with a two-striker front-line.
Rant over. Almost. Because of the fact that it’s incredibly clear Haller needs a partner, we’re going to be losing our minds if the transfer window, whenever it happens to be placed in this uncertain topsy-turvy footballing world post-COVID-19, doesn’t see the Hammers look to bring a striker in alongside Haller.
Those that don’t agree with us that a striker is needed will all be saying the same thing right now: ‘But we have Michail Antonio’.
Yes, we do, and Antonio isn’t a striker, he’s simply one of very few footballers with the ability to play extremely well out of position, showcased by the fact he’s played NINE different roles for the Hammers (Transfermarkt), and as good as he might be in a centre-forward role, he’s even better on the right.
That’s why we’re proposing that the Irons need to keep an eye on any strikers who may be looking for new clubs and get themselves ready to bring in a handy striker to partner up with Haller, someone who’s at least good enough for the Premier League too, as Albian Ajeti clearly isn’t.
Does Sebastien Haller need a strike partner?
Yes
No
There will be more than just a striker needed at West Ham in the coming months when the window opens. Goals are only half the problem, but they are certainly a problem and this is a way of solving whilst also getting the best out of Haller in the process.
