West Ham United midfielder Pablo Fornals has hinted that he prefers to play with pal Michail Antonio in attack rather than Sebastien Haller. French-born Ivorian international Haller has not lived up to his £45m price tag since his move to the Premier League last summer. He signed for the Hammers from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt at the beginning of the last Premier League campaign.
His average form in the West Ham United colours led to Michail Antonio usurping him as the lone striker for the East Londoners thereby condemning him to substitute appearances in the Premier League in recent months.Michail Antonio has been the main man in the West Ham United in recent months until the home game against Manchester City in October. He suffered a hamstring injury during the game and has not played since then. His absence gave Sebastien Haller the chance to stake a claim for a permanent spot in the Hammersattack, but the player failed to seize the opportunity.
He was almost non-existent in the 2-1 loss at Liverpool at the end of last month and was rightfully criticised. The ex-Frankfurt star improved for the next game, a 1-0 win at home to struggling Fulham but it was not still enough to match the usual attacking output from Antonio.
West Ham United fans are divided over Sebastien Haller and his present status at the club. Some fans are of the opinion that the player is lazy, while others think that he has not been able to show his real potentials because the Hammers team is not built around him.
Sebastien Haller has been a shadow of the goalscoring player witnessed at Eintracht Frankfurt. Pablo Fornals spoke to the West Ham United website about his relationship with Michail Antonio off and on the pitch as he disclosed his happiness at playing with the burly Englishman in attack. Spanish international Fornals has added his two cents to the Haller debate by revealing his preference for Michail Antonio to continue in attack.
The good news for Hammers fans is the imminent return to action for Michail Antonio in the coming days. He has returned to training after the aforementioned injury and is in line to face Sheffield United at the weekend.