Sebastien Haller hasn’t enjoyed the debut season that many West Ham fans expected of him. The Frenchman cost the Irons a high fee of £45m (BBC) after his impressive season with Eintracht Frankfurt last season in which he bagged 20 goals and 12 assists in all competitions (Transfermarkt).
However, the Hammers have still seen seven goals from Haller in the Premier League this season, and whilst a few of them have been tap-ins as a result of his sharp movement in the box, he’s also shown just the kind of goal poacher he is with some of his goals.
The form of the Hammers in general this season has been woeful. The Irons are well and truly embroiled in a relegation battle and are only safe on goal difference at the moment (Premierleague.com), yet there’s still time for Haller to improve his goalscoring record and help the Hammers pull clear.
If he can score some more goals like the ones listed below, though, the fans will be well behind the Frenchman, and he certainly has the talent to pull some more strikes out of his locker, so without further ado, here are what we think are Haller’s three best goals for the club so far.
#3 Feb ’20, Southampton (H)
The third best goal we’ve seen from Haller so far is a strike that really showcases his ability as a poacher. As Southampton travelled to the London Stadium at the end of February, the score was 1-1 and after it looked like Alex McCarthy had claimed a high ball in the box, Haller got his head on the ball without fouling the Saints’ stopper before tucking home from a tight angle.
This wasn’t the most glamourous goal we’ve ever seen, and Haller will score much more aesthetically pleasing goals, but this showcased what he’s about in front of goal and the sort of instinct he possesses in and around the box.
#2 Dec ’19, Southampton (A)
Sebastien Haller has been in the Premier League for less than a season, yet he’s already shown how much he loves playing against Southampton, as at St. Mary’s he scored the only goal of the game to give Manuel Pellegrini a precious three points, and it was a wonderful finish.
The Frenchman found himself in the middle of the box when the ball came at him from the right at an awkward height, but he managed to get his right foot over the ball to pull it into the far corner beyond McCarthy, and the nonchalant celebration that went with it only added to the aesthetic of the goal.
#3 Jan ’20, Bournemouth (H)
David Moyes first game in charge of his second stint at West Ham brought a wonderful 4-0 win for the Hammers, and with it, there was also the goal of Haller’s time at the club so far. The Frenchman, with the score already at 2-0 to the home side, produced a wonderful acrobatic finish to put the game beyond doubt for the travelling Cherries.
Six games then followed for Haller without a goal, but at least the strike against Bournemouth was a memorable one for the fans, and with a bit of luck when football returns the flood gates will open for Haller and we’ll have more goals to rank.
