First Team Squad
Player profile and performance records.
Sebastien Haller (Striker)
Sebastien Haller
Ris Orangis, FrancePosition: Striker
Born: 22nd Jun 1994 (Ris Orangis, France)
Signed: 17th Jul 2019 (£40,500,000)
Contract: 5 years + 1 year option
Previous Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
KUMB Awards: Worst Signing (third place) 2019/20.
Sebastien Hallar joined West Ham in the summer of 2019, as United broke the club's transfer record to bring the French striker to London.
He arrived in England for a fee of ??40.5million having averaged a goal every two games during the previous five seasons with FC Utrecht and Frankfurt.
"I feel really great; I think it?EUR(TM)s a really good opportunity for me to be here," he pronounced upon his arrival in London.
"It means a lot, it proves that the club really wanted me for a long time. I feel this desire to sign me and I'm really happy to sign."
Despite his initial optimism Haller went on to make just 48 appearances for West Ham before being sold to Ajax in January 2021 for less than half of the fee paid for him.
Sebastien Haller is yet play any matches this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Everton
1-0: Friday, 1st JanuaryIsolated at times, but had that habit of giving the ball away in really simple moments. There were also instances where he dropped deep and then barely broke out of a jog to join attacks. With Antonio coming back, it's hard to see how he gets given more opportunities as a solo striker. He will hope to partner Antonio more.
Southampton
0-0: Tuesday, 29th DecemberAs he has done lately, he put himself about, tried to pressure from the front and made defenders uncomfortable by trying to bully them. It just hasn’t been working at all as an attacking threat, whilst his touch is getting rustier the more he plays.
Brighton & Hove Albion
2-2: Saturday, 26th DecemberThere must be alternatives. Yarmolenko, Bowen, Benrahma. One of them must offer enough to negate losing Haller's aerial presence. Today's game was some sort of lesson in torture for him, Bowen often defending so far away from Haller that the striker may possibly have been told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace. There was no service, the manager had picked basically eight defenders and they were all playing badly. But he cannot make anything happen and the need for some pace in behind a defence, just to open up some space for the midfield to play as defenders are forced deeper, is so clear that it's starting to look like Moyes is punishing Haller.
Chelsea
0-3: Monday, 21st DecemberIt was not for his lack of trying, but it appears to be that he is just a tall person to fire balls at, and especially hard for him to deliver when the majority of crosses have him standing alone in the box as a threat. He fought for the ball and won a lot of headers but offers nothing in behind the defence and can be contained by defenders who are willing to throw themselves at headers.
Crystal Palace
1-1: Tuesday, 15th DecemberA vital goal and one of magic, but his play wasn't good outside of that. Palace marshalled him well and both defenders were the type to like a bit of a battle. A little less his fault this time, the pieces around him were not playing particularly well either.
Leeds United
2-1: Friday, 11th DecemberHaller was at times the worst player on the pitch but also improved a lot on aspects he is readily criticised for by West Ham fans. He worked hard, got involved in the build up, used his strength to create space and battled defenders. Equally, his touch was often poor, his passing nearly always the wrong side of fine margins and his finishing not as sharp as it needed to be. It was Jekyll and Hyde, but five dangerous shots is the kind of output his detractors should not ignore.
Manchester United
1-3: Saturday, 5th DecemberIt may be harsh, as Haller again showed improvement in work rate and chemistry with Fornals and Bowen, but that big chance he blew was almost a signal to all West Ham fans that this feeling of positivity would be fleeting. It was unfortunate, but a clinical striker just gets it done.
Aston Villa
2-1: Saturday, 28th November(Replaced Antonio, 45) Did his job reasonably well when there was a presence around him, fighting for the ball and passing well, but became just a tall player with a head as we sat deep.
Sheffield United
1-0: Sunday, 22nd NovemberHe deserved that goal, if just to quieten down people who call him lazy. There were clear moments where he ran hard and worked to be a presence. More quietly, he uses his body excellently to hold off defenders and can do little touches with a defender hanging off him that others don't have the strength or nous to achieve. The finish was brilliant, and he could have had one or two more. A good performance, although he should have been replaced late on when tired and unable to defend alone from the front.
Fulham
1-0: Saturday, 7th NovemberBetter than last week and very unlucky not to score. It was a game where the service to him was not good, and any good service he used well. His nuisance factor gets us the goal.
Liverpool
1-2: Saturday, 31st OctoberYou've got to allow him a game to get into some rhythm and back into the team, but he was poor today. Won a few headers but never made Liverpool's young centre back worry (note: him getting Man of the Match was a little laughable.) 16 touches in 73 minutes is not good enough. One flicked header nearly led to a goal and there was a moment in the first half where he used his strength brilliantly to get West Ham on the attack. But it wasn't good enough and went no way to replacing Antonio's impact.
Manchester City
1-1: Saturday, 24th October(Replaced Bowen, 69) A little bit of sympathy for Haller, by the time he came on it was a defence vs attack game and the hard workers and support like Antonio and Bowen were off the pitch. He was just a head to hit with long balls. However, his header when Sterling looked in to score was vital defensive work.
Leicester City
3-0: Sunday, 4th October(Replaced Antonio, 86) Just a cameo.
Everton
1-4: Wednesday, 30th SeptemberTwo good goals, worked hard and ran the channels, linked well with the players making runs off him. That final part is important, it’s what he needs and the likes of Lanzini and Yarmolenko make sure to get near, link well and move off him.
Hull City
5-1: Tuesday, 22nd SeptemberTwo good goals, worked hard and ran the channels, linked well with the players making runs off him. That final part is important, it’s what he needs and the likes of Lanzini and Yarmolenko make sure to get near, link well and move off him.
Charlton Athletic
3-0: Tuesday, 15th SeptemberScored as many tonight as he had in his last 19 games for West Ham. Probably should have had a hat trick but did well, the headed goal an excellent finish.
Newcastle United
0-2: Saturday, 12th September(Replaced Noble, 67) One header on target from a weak cross, made a nuisance of himself a couple times, but bringing him on changed the game in absolutely no notable way.
Brentford
2-1: Saturday, 29th AugustScored a hat-trick at Portman Road against League One Ipswich Town in midweek but was given few opportunities to get on the scoresheet by a far better drilled defensive unit.
Ipswich Town
4-1: Tuesday, 25th Augustn/a
Aston Villa
1-1: Sunday, 26th July(Replaced Antonio) He was poor, but he was given little chance to be much else. The service was poor and/or ponderous.
Manchester United
1-1: Wednesday, 22nd July(Replaced Antonio) Limited chance to impress, but he did win aerial duels and some good headed clearances in a game that had almost come to a halt.
Watford
3-1: Friday, 17th JulyThe basics that he did were vital in how the game changed from one of defensive worry to a settled and calmer one. His touch is often exquisite and he just wins aerial battles (which some may mock) fantastically for a side who needed to relieve pressure from the back. Deserved that first touch to be a goal.
Norwich City
4-0: Saturday, 11th July(Replaced Antonio) Nice to get some more minutes in his legs.
Burnley
0-1: Wednesday, 8th July(Replaced Yarmolenko) Did reasonably well in terms of winning headers, having a presence and giving Antonio less work. But the players seemed to die around him as time went on, whilst he should probably have done better with his chance, albeit Pope did excellently.
Aston Villa
1-1: Sunday, 26th July(Replaced Antonio) He was poor, but he was given little chance to be much else. The service was poor and/or ponderous.
Manchester United
1-1: Wednesday, 22nd July(Replaced Antonio) Limited chance to impress, but he did win aerial duels and some good headed clearances in a game that had almost come to a halt.
Watford
3-1: Friday, 17th JulyThe basics that he did were vital in how the game changed from one of defensive worry to a settled and calmer one. His touch is often exquisite and he just wins aerial battles (which some may mock) fantastically for a side who needed to relieve pressure from the back. Deserved that first touch to be a goal.
Norwich City
4-0: Saturday, 11th July(Replaced Antonio) Nice to get some more minutes in his legs.
Burnley
0-1: Wednesday, 8th July(Replaced Yarmolenko) Did reasonably well in terms of winning headers, having a presence and giving Antonio less work. But the players seemed to die around him as time went on, whilst he should probably have done better with his chance, albeit Pope did excellently.
Southampton
3-1: Saturday, 29th FebruaryMuch maligned as he is, the Frenchman did fantastically to score and was excellent as an outlet all game. His touch is exquisite, but he has the brute strength with it to bully bigger centre halves. Him and Antonio complement each other very well, Haller always looking to supply willing runners.
Manchester City
0-2: Wednesday, 19th FebruaryDid not play.
Brighton & Hove Albion
3-3: Saturday, 1st February7/10 with Antonio, who he clearly enjoys playing with and can use to good effect. 5/10 once he was gone, at which point everyone let him do that standing up front alone thing that has never worked well for West Ham ever. Linked with Antonio and has the brains and skills to make the side better once he has help. It was all taken away from him and that’s when he suffered. So did West Ham.
Liverpool
0-2: Wednesday, 29th JanuaryA thankless task, for the most part. He was smart enough to try move towards Gomez and win those duels, because Van Dijk is too fast and strong for him to bully or outmanoeuvre. He hasn’t the pace to make things on his own, whereas an Antonio today might have forced problems with his running in behind.
West Bromwich Albion
0-1: Saturday, 25th JanuaryMissed an absolute sitter before finding the woodwork from an acute angle; he'll need to improve in order to persuade Moyes he deserves a regular spot in the starting XI.
Sheffield United
0-1: Friday, 10th JanuaryIn the first half, he linked well with the two supporting players Lanzini and Anderson, but in the second half his touch often let him down and he stopped chasing balls in behind. His big chance was the header, and he blew it. Suffered as Anderson lost his way in the game.
Gillingham
2-0: Sunday, 5th JanuaryMissed an absolute sitter before finding the woodwork from an acute angle; he'll need to improve in order to persuade Moyes he deserves a regular spot in the starting XI.
Southampton
1-0: Saturday, 14th DecemberPlayed up front with support around him and looked like the player who started the season. Who’d have thought it? Has won the most aerial challenges in the league this year, and that ability was crucial here as the side went front to back to unleash the strikers.
Arsenal
1-3: Saturday, 7th December(Replaced Anderson) Given little to do as the team had given up by the time he came on, but strolled about harmlessly and joined the malaise.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-2: Wednesday, 4th DecemberAgain, starved of meaningful service. But creators could argue that he’s giving them nothing to use. If he doesn’t have close runners, he isn’t going to play well. He’s playing poorly, but he’s let down by the system.
Newcastle United
2-3: Saturday, 2nd NovemberDrifted harmlessly and then seemed to actively try not to be useful in their box. Misplaced passes and bad touches throughout.
Sheffield United
1-1: Saturday, 26th OctoberHe didn’t really link the attack, and for all the extra solidity in the middle, the deeper midfield three left Haller even more isolated. Some sympathy for him, especially when he’s left alone to attack crosses against three centre backs. Less touches of the ball than Roberto and only seven more than Lanzini, who played 25 minutes.
Crystal Palace
1-2: Saturday, 5th OctoberDid his work well, winning headers, turning defenders with use of the body and scoring a good goal, but should have scored first half.
Bournemouth
2-2: Saturday, 28th SeptemberNot quite as neat with the ball as usual, but that control from Anderson’s cross to set up Yarmolenko was sumptuous. He is just clearly a quality player, his technique is excellent.
Oxford United
0-4: Wednesday, 25th September(Replaced Holland) Added little to nothing to our attacking power.
Manchester United
2-0: Sunday, 22nd SeptemberThrough no fault of his own, he wasn’t a huge threat. However, he managed to keep the defenders occupied, dealing with and giving back some physical stuff, whilst being an outlet. Winning nine aerials in a game against Harry Maguire is impressive.
Aston Villa
0-0: Monday, 16th SeptemberA scrappy game for him, but his influence as a striker was really notable when the side were down to ten men. Holds the ball, passes well and draws fouls with lovely control.
Norwich City
2-0: Saturday, 31st AugustPut himself about well, linked with Lanzini and Anderson really well too and excellent to see another poacher’s goal. Should have won a penalty too.
Newport County
2-0: Tuesday, 27th AugustDid not play.
Watford
3-1: Saturday, 24th AugustHis link play was excellent, held up the ball well and wasn’t bullied by some very physical stuff in the Watford backline. Deserved his goals, one of which was earned by getting in the right place, the other some fantastic ingenuity, foreshadowed in the first half with the audacious and acrobatic mid-air backheel.
Manchester City
0-5: Saturday, 10th AugustComparisons to Kanoute and Ashton have been there, but he reminds me of Teddy Sheringham, but not with the legs of the one we got. Ended with 91% pass accuracy after 100% in the first half. As a striker, dropping deep against the team in the league who are the best at winning it back with quick tackles and interceptions. His chest control was phenomenal. Quiet second half, not really his fault, is enough to give him a middle of the road rating. Promising.
Athletico Bilbao
2-2: Saturday, 3rd AugustScored on his home debut after just 80 seconds, a shame it was at the wrong end. Atoned for his error by playing a part in both West Ham goals. A promising start.
Hertha Berlin
5-3: Wednesday, 31st JulyWas a real handful for Berlin's defence. Scored his first of what will hopefully prove to be many goals for West Ham.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.
Sebastien Haller did not play for West Ham during this season.