Ian Wright suggested that West Ham striker Sebastien Haller looked a lot better against Southampton because he used his physical presence, when speaking on Match of the Day 2 last night (Sunday March 1st).
The 25-year-old joined the Hammers from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £45 million in the summer of 2019 (BBC).
Haller has struggled to establish himself at the London Stadium, however. He has scored just seven goals in 26 Premier League games so far this season (Transfermarkt).
The latest of those strikes came against Southampton on Saturday. And the Frenchman looked like a totally different player, with Michail Antonio supporting him in attack.
Haller put himself about more physically. And this was something that Wright alluded to, when speaking on Match of the Day 2 last night:
“Haller looked a lot better using his physical presence to make things happen, there are good signs for West Ham.”
Haller has set himself a benchmark now. He needs to put himself about so much more than he has been doing of late. Just like he did when he leaped above Alex McCarthy, made something out of nothing, and scored West Ham’s second against the Saints.
On his day, the Frenchman can be a real handful.
And like Wright highlighted, West Ham are a much better team when Haller is on song.
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