In football, everything happens very quickly. Sébastien Haller knows this better than anyone. In 2021-22, the Ivorian striker walked on water in the jersey of Ajax Amsterdam, a club with which he scored 32 goals and provided 9 assists in 39 appearances in all competitions (38 starts). His performances had not escaped Borussia Dortmund, who were at that time looking for a striker to replace Erling Haaland who was leaving for Manchester City. The Germans were convinced and bet 34.5 million euros (bonus included) to recruit him. On July 6, 2022, BVB announced his signing until June 30, 2026.
He played the match of his life in Germany
But Sébastien Haller’s joy was short-lived. On July 18, the Marsupials announced that he was seriously ill via a press release. “Sébastien Haller had to leave the BVB training camp in Bad Ragaz due to illness and has already returned to Dortmund. During examinations, a testicular tumor was discovered. Get well soon, Sébastien Haller.” Touched but not sunk, the center forward shared a positive message on his social networks. “Thank you all for your many messages of support and affection since yesterday’s announcement. My family and I thank you. I will now focus on my recovery to come back stronger.”
Ready to play the match of his life, Haller fought for many months against the disease before winning. Subsequently, he was able to resume the thread of his career, inevitably with a very different state of mind after the ordeal he went through. On January 2, 2023, he resumed training before returning to the field. Eight days later, he played around fifteen minutes in a friendly match against Fortuna Düsseldorf (5-1). On January 22, he continued with his first official match. In total, he participated in 22 matches in all competitions that season (9 goals and 3 assists). The next, in 2023-24, he was used only 19 times but only 6 times as a starter by Edin Terzic, who was in place at the time.
A complicated final season
It should also be noted that he had an ankle injury which bothered him for a good part of the year. Regarding his statistics line, he finished the previous year with a record of 3 goals and 1 assist. When the summer came, BVB, who wanted to part with his big salary, and Haller, who wanted to get regular playing time back, agreed to part ways. And to everyone’s surprise, the Ivorian joined Leganés on a season-long loan on August 31. After having played in France, the Netherlands, England and Germany, the native of Ris-Orangis left to discover Spain. Obviously, this arrival at this average La Liga club was very noticed.
The striker’s debut was highly anticipated. On September 13, he therefore played his first minutes in his new colors on September 13 during the 2-0 defeat against Real Betis Balompié (90 minutes played). Then, he continued against Athletic Bilbao (80 minutes, September 19), Getafe (16 minutes, September 22), Rayo Vallecano (74 minutes, September 28) and Valencia (63 minutes, October 4). In total, he spent 323 minutes on the pitch this season. But he has not yet managed to be decisive. What worries in Spain. This Thursday, AS also devoted a long article to him entitled “Haller’s offensive limbo“.
Haller is not yet shining in Leganés
The Iberian media added: “Sébastien Haller is still in the limbo of performance from which he cannot escape. Five league games have not yet been enough for the Ivorian player, formerly signed by Borussia Dortmund to replace Haaland, to find the net in official competition. It also happens that far from improving, each day he seems more isolated. He doesn’t know how to take advantage of his virtues as a proven scorer. Now, a hip injury has kept him out of the squad with his country for the current international break, in addition to missing him from training for a Leganés team that hopes to have him back for the visit to the Metropolitano on October 20.”
AS continues: “during those 323 minutes spanning five games, Haller only took four shots, including just one shot on target. Of the 108 times he touched the ball, only nine were in the opponent’s box. Against Getafe (he played 16 minutes), he didn’t even have the opportunity to scratch the ball in the Barça penalty area. Despite a start that fell short of expectations, he can count on his coach, Borja Jiménez. “I don’t think Haller will lose motivation. I’m not worried about Seb. He has a goal and he will end up doing it (…) I think he is an attacker who adapts. He has very good conditions inside the box. There are options for playing with many systems. The important thing is that it is complementary. It is in line with what we want. With different shades. It enriches the team.” For the moment, this is not yet visible on the ground. But Haller is fully capable of returning to his best level. Leganés is just waiting for that!
Pub. the 10/10/2024 12:48
Update 10/10/2024 14:37
