Manuel Pellegrini reacts to Sebastien Haller’s start at West Ham

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Manuel Pellegrini has suggested that Sebastien Haller’s start at West Ham has probably been better than many expected, but admitted that he can do better, in comments reported by Football London.

Haller has made an extremely bright start to life at the London Stadium. He tops the Hammers’ goalscoring charts, with four goals coming in the Premier League.

But ahead of what should be his ninth top flight appearance for the Irons this weekend, Pellegrini explained that the striker needs to target taking his performances to the next level.

“I think that he is not doing bad but I think he can do better also,” he said, as reported by Football London. “It is always difficult for different players to come from another league and start here.

“He has started better maybe than we expected, now he must make more movements in the box for the way we play because we need to score more goals.”

While Haller’s record is impressive, his more recent form has perhaps not caught the eye enough. He has scored once in his last five league appearances. Three of his goals came back in August.

But the signs certainly suggest that he is going to prove to be an outstanding signing for the Hammers. The Frenchman is comfortable leading the line. But he is also excellent at bringing his teammates into the game.

Haller was a key part of a devastating front three at Eintracht Frankfurt last season. West Ham do not play the same system, but they arguably have the attacking quality to create something similar at the London Stadium.

And given how brightly Haller has started at West Ham, it could be a game-changer for the Irons once he is fully settled in and has developed that understanding with those playing around him.