Sebastien Haller / signed for West Ham

[Cee90]

So we've recently been linked with Sebastien Haller of Frankfurt as a potential Lukaku replacement.




Perhaps not the most reliable sources coming out with this news so far, but he certainly seems like an interesting player worthy of discussion.

What do we think of him? Ready to make the step up?


I've come across this video which I think provides a good idea of what he is like for those of you who haven't seen him play.




Some stats from this season courtesy of www.transfermarkt.com:

Spoiler: Sorry, I couldn't resist:

 

[Velvet Revolver]

Zlatan vibes

 

[roonster09]

Zlatan vibes

Was about to say that. When you see how tall he is and his technical ability (he was also trained in Martial arts going by that Bundesliga video), flexibility he looks like young Zlatan.

 

[Adnan]

Only watched him on YouTube, but he seems the profile of striker that we could really do with.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

I'd be very happy with this as a Lukaku replacement.

 

[hobbers]

Looks like everything Lukaku is not. Composed, good first touch, strong in the air, good finisher, excellent link up play, and above all not a fat blob who can't run.

Also Zlatanesque flicks.

 

[Majima]

I haven't watched him before but from that video, I think he looks a very interesting player.

We could utilise him well together with Martial & Rashford. He looks like he has a good awareness with his teammates along with a decent first touch for someone so tall.

It seems like he would cope a lot better with his back to goal and long balls than Lukaku has.

Anybody who has watched him can comment on his finishing?

 

[reddevil702]

We must be aiming for a mid-table if this the caliber of player we’re consider as a replacement for Lukaku. Why not get Icardi or better yet surround Lukaku with wingers that can actually cross the ball and provide opportunities. Seems a lot of us are in the grass is greener mindset and are in for a rude awakening.

 

[The Nani]

Zlatan vibes

I’ve watched him a fair bit and the thing I like about him most is while he has a lot of that flair in his locker he tends to keep it simple. Reminds me of Saha in that way. Very good with his feet and a very good passer for a big guy. And really good in the air.

He’s a really good, underrated player and I think there’s still more to come from him. Could yet make the step up to a big club and do the business without a lot of acclaim. Again, similar to Saha.

I hope we are in for him.

 

[dwd]

Looks a bruiser. He's got some mad scars on his head.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Would Frankfurt be prepared to lose both him and Jovic?

 

[Adnan]

We must be aiming for a mid-table if this the caliber of player we’re consider as a replacement for Lukaku. Why not get Icardi or better yet surround Lukaku with wingers that can actually cross the ball and provide opportunities. Seems a lot of us are in the grass is greener mindset and are in for a rude awakening.

Have you seen Haller play apart from YouTube?

 

[The Nani]

Would Frankfurt be prepared to lose both him and Jovic?

This is my main concern as well. He certainly wouldn’t come cheap.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

Haller!

 

[Champagne Football]

We must be aiming for a mid-table if this the caliber of player we’re consider as a replacement for Lukaku. Why not get Icardi or better yet surround Lukaku with wingers that can actually cross the ball and provide opportunities. Seems a lot of us are in the grass is greener mindset and are in for a rude awakening.

Icardi? Yeah I'd say he'd be a really healthy addition to our pampered spice boys dressing room.

 

[reddevil702]

Have you seen Haller play apart from YouTube?

The only time I’ve even seen Frankfurt play was vs Chelsea, so not really. The one thing that’s obvious from his YouTube videos is the amount of service he receives, which is something that we couldn’t even provide a better striker with.

 

[Majima]

We must be aiming for a mid-table if this the caliber of player we’re consider as a replacement for Lukaku. Why not get Icardi or better yet surround Lukaku with wingers that can actually cross the ball and provide opportunities. Seems a lot of us are in the grass is greener mindset and are in for a rude awakening.

He has a lot of interesting attributes it seems. He's seemingly strong with his back to goal. Good first-touch. Good link-up with awareness of teammates. Keeps it simple.

These are qualities we are crying out for at the minute. Which Lukaku does not provide.

He looks like he would make a good foil for Martial & Rashford.

We've been playing Lukaku with his back to goal and hitting it long all season. We might as well bring in someone who actually suits that style.

 

[reddevil702]

Icardi? Yeah I'd say he'd be a really healthy addition to our pampered spice boys dressing room.

Adding a young unproven striker is a better option? At least with Icardi you know what you’re getting, there may be bs off the field but on the pitch there’s no questioning his talent.

 

[roonster09]

The only time I’ve even seen Frankfurt play was vs Chelsea, so not really. The one thing that’s obvious from his YouTube videos is the amount of service he receives, which is something that we couldn’t even provide a better striker with.

For some strange reasons Lukaku is rated as some sort of world class player. He isn't, his technique, hold up play is not good enough. We should surround Lukaku with wingers to just cross the ball into box, we should sign better players who are technically better with better hold up play and can bring other players into play.

 

[roonster09]

Adding a young unproven striker is a better option? At least with Icardi you know what you’re getting, there may be bs off the field but on the pitch there’s no questioning his talent.

What no question? The last goal he scored from open play was in November. He link up play is non existent and useless outside the box.

 

[meamth]

Shades of Zlatan, Berba and Sheringham combined into one. Sign him.

 

[starman]

We must be aiming for a mid-table if this the caliber of player we’re consider as a replacement for Lukaku. Why not get Icardi or better yet surround Lukaku with wingers that can actually cross the ball and provide opportunities. Seems a lot of us are in the grass is greener mindset and are in for a rude awakening.

We signed a mid level player in Lukaku in the first place

 

[The Nani]

The only time I’ve even seen Frankfurt play was vs Chelsea, so not really. The one thing that’s obvious from his YouTube videos is the amount of service he receives, which is something that we couldn’t even provide a better striker with.

Who is that ?

And why are you making such comments if you’ve only watched him play once ?

He provides more service as a #9 than any player we have currently save Pogba.

 

[Ekeke]

Very good linkup striker

 

[Adnan]

He seems like a player that would knit things together and make our attackers more potent. Would be a good player for our midfield too.

 

[The Nani]

Looks like everything Lukaku is not. Composed, good first touch, strong in the air, good finisher, excellent link up play, and above all not a fat blob who can't run.

Also Zlatanesque flicks.

Yeah, he also runs his bollocks off for the team. I’ve rated him more and more watching Frankfurt this past season but honestly never expected us to go for him.

Again, hope it’s true.

He seems like a player that would knit things together and make our attackers more potent. Would be a good player for our midfield too.

Shades of ‘06 Saha.

 

[Velvet Revolver]

I’ve watched him a fair bit and the thing I like about him most is while he has a lot of that flair in his locker he tends to keep it simple. Reminds me of Saha in that way. Very good with his feet and a very good passer for a big guy. And really good in the air.

He’s a really good, underrated player and I think there’s still more to come from him. Could yet make the step up to a big club and do the business without a lot of acclaim. Again, similar to Saha.

I hope we are in for him.

Oh man I absolutely loved Saha! h

 

[reddevil702]

What no question? The last goal he scored from open play was in November. He link up play is non existent and useless outside the box.

I’m not arguing Lukaku is world class by any means, but he’s better than the realistic options we can replace him with. We know his hold up play isn’t good but yet we’re persistent in having him play that way. Our link up play as a team was non existent, we looked clueless attacking. That isn’t just down to Lukaku.

 

[roonster09]

I’m not arguing Lukaku is world class by any means, but he’s better than the realistic options we can replace him with. We know his hold up play isn’t good but yet we’re persistent in having him play that way. Our link up play as a team was non existent, we looked clueless attacking. That isn’t just down to Lukaku.

How is he better when he is lacking so much in his technical level? He is not good in the build up play with his poor touch and balance and also his inability to play with his back to the goal. His movement is not existent which means it's harder to create chances for him, on top of that he is not even aggressive in attacking crosses, he just stays in a position and expect inch perfect cross to his head.

 

[NYAS]

Absolutely love him. I’m so happy with this link. Hope the source is reliable and we bring him in. And I say this as a Lukaku fan.

 

[reddevil702]

Who is that ?

And why are you making such comments if you’ve only watched him play once ?

He provides more service as a #9 than any player we have currently save Pogba.

You’re right maybe I’m rushing judgment, but he’s 24 and not single senior cap for a France team that takes Giroud. Former manager is now with Bayern who are very likely to be looking for a replacement for Lewa and yet there’s no interest. I wonder why if he’s as great as you say he is.

 

[reddevil702]

How is he better when he is lacking so much in his technical level? He is not good in the build up play with his poor touch and balance and also his inability to play with his back to the goal. His movement is not existent which means it's harder to create chances for him, on top of that he is not even aggressive in attacking crosses, he just stays in a position and expect inch perfect cross to his head.

Agree to disagree. If this happens let’s hope you’re right and I’m wrong.

 

[The Nani]

You’re right maybe I’m rushing judgment, but he’s 24 and not single senior cap for a France team that takes Giroud. Former manager is now with Bayern who are very likely to be looking for a replacement for Lewa and yet there’s no interest. I wonder why if he’s as great as you say he is.

Been linked predominantly with Dortmund. They might win the league with him up top amongst Sancho, Reus and their new additions. But I imagine neither they or Bayern will move for him because like Jovic he will probably cost a bomb, especially now that Jovic is gone. Bayern are even balking at signing Werner right now hoping they can sign him on a free next season.

He only moved from Holland year before last and has kicked on massively this season. I’ve even seen a few Bundesliga fans and pundits rating him above Jovic although obviously Haller is a few years older.

Either way some players develop later or don’t get the proper opportunity until later. See Drogba, Saha and many others.

 

[roonster09]

Been linked predominantly with Dortmund. They might win the league with him up top amongst Sancho, Reus and their new additions. But I imagine neither they or Bayern will move for him because like Jovic he will probably cost a bomb, especially now that Jovic is gone.

He has contract till 2021, so might be available for decent price.

 

[Adnan]

Who is Eintracht Frankfurt goal-machine Sebastien Haller?




“Bringing in Haller, obviously gives you a bit more strength up front. He can hold the ball up, he’s big, and he showed his quality today.” – Frankfurt midfielder Jonathan de Guzman after Haller’s point-saving contribution against Nuremberg.





"I always want to score goals, but I'm a team player first and foremost." – Haller on his own game.





“A bulldozer couldn’t knock him over!” – Former Frankfurt and current Bayern coach Niko Kovac.

https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/...cht-frankfurt-france-u21-newcastle-516227.jsp

 

[The Nani]

He has contract till 2021, so might be available for decent price.

Yeah I’m sure they’ll want to do everything they can to hold onto him for one more season though. And I just honestly expected him to end up at Dortmund or PSG without us so much as acknowledging his existence if he did leave.

Very encouraging if we are indeed in for him. If nothing else I have a new muppet thread to bed down in now that Dybala and others are all but dead!

 

[passing-wind]

Why wait until Jovic has been sold to register interest in the player.

Is it likely the club will sell two of their most prized front men in one window ? This is absolute stupidity.

 

[Majima]

How is he better when he is lacking so much in his technical level? He is not good in the build up play with his poor touch and balance and also his inability to play with his back to the goal. His movement is not existent which means it's harder to create chances for him, on top of that he is not even aggressive in attacking crosses, he just stays in a position and expect inch perfect cross to his head.

Preaching to the choir. Perfect summary of Lukaku's limitations. It's no coincidence we start lumping it to him when he's on. A ball to his feet and the other team are at our neck counter-attacking.

Lukaku's faults wouldn't be so magnified if he wasn't so weak in the air though.

Much better to bring in someone who actually complements our other attackers.

 

[Icemav]

Seems like a combination of Fellaini and Carrol. The good bits I suppose.

.... and for those comparing him with Zlatan. In what universe?

 

[Sterling Archer]

Seems like a combination of Fellaini and Carrol. The good bits I suppose.

.... and for those comparing him with Zlatan. In what universe?

It's hyperbole on both spectrums. I find it funny that for all the talk on the cafe about Jovic, I have not once seen a single word about Haller...and they played alongside each other! And now after a single link and video everyone has a grand opinion. I really am starting to think most of the cafe watches only the Premier League and then jumps behind whatever foreign flavor of the month they see in papers.

Actually, just remembering many a post along the lines of 'didnt watch United today but man so and so was awful. ...based on others. '. What a complicated species we are.