Exclusive: McAvennie wants to see more from Haller despite goal in West Ham win v Sheff Utd
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie was blown away by Sebastien Haller’s goal for West Ham against Sheffield United but still wants to see more from the £45million striker.
Haller, 26, netted his second Premier League goal of the campaign at Bramall Lane with a well-struck shot from just outside the penalty area.
It won the Hammers the game and helped lift them up to eight in the league standings but McAvennie is adamant that the Ivory Coast international still has work to do on his game.
“I keep saying it, he’s got the potential to be a good player but he still doesn’t do enough as in his movement,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“He was walking when he scored but when he hit it – what a hit.
“He’s got so much potential. I’d like to see him move more after he flicks the ball. That header to [Tomas] Soucek. He’s got that in his locker and I’m thinking ‘why don’t you do it more?’
“He’s got all the attributes to be a great player. He’s got everything to be a top, top player. It’ll be a crying shame against football if he doesn’t reach his potential.
“I can’t work him out.”
Haller has certainly blown cold more often than hot since his club-record arrival at the London Stadium from Frankfurt last year.
The ex-Bundesliga striker has netted 13 times in 45 appearances across all competitions for the Irons, with only nine of those goals coming in the Premier League.
It really was a fantastic goal against Sheffield United but we simply don’t see that enough from him.
Michail Antonio is on the verge of returning to full fitness so even though Haller scored the winner last week, we’d expect David Moyes to drop Haller in favour of Antonio as soon as he can.
It was encouraging to see such a vastly improved display at Bramall Lane but that was very much a one-off and against the Premier League’s 20th-placed club.
In other West Ham news, do the Irons really need midfield transfer target Amadou Diawara?