Football.London journalist Sam Inkersole has claimed that the sight of West Ham hitman Sebastien Haller chasing balls out on the flank against Everton on Saturday was “astonishing”.
The big Frenchman cut an isolated figure for much of the match at Goodison Park, and subsequently took it upon himself to seek possession in unusual areas.
But writing in a piece for Football.London, Inkersole admitted that he was baffled by the sight of the target man out wide.
He said: “The striker scored against Crystal Palace to move on to four for the season and without his goals, the Hammers would be nowhere.
“The sight of him stuck out on the right flank, chasing balls down the channel on Saturday though was astonishing.”
OPINION
You can’t knock Haller’s effort, and the hitman has arguably been West Ham’s most important player so far this season, but when all is said and done, he has a very special talent that cannot be utilised out on the wing. Haller is a handful – an intelligent, hulking centre forward straight out of the old school – and as result, he does his best work in and around the box, ideally between the width of the goalposts. So far this season he has averaged a massive 7.5 aerial duels won and 2.4 shots per game, as per Whoscored, but neither of those threats are of any use if he has to go searching for the ball. West Ham have to do more to support him, or he will go to waste.
