Theo Janssen admitted himself on Monday Ziggo Sports-plan Rondo particularly critical of Sébastien Haller. The analyst states that the 31-year-old striker of FC Utrecht is barely able to move forward and thinks that Ivory Coast is better off without him.
Haller will miss the Africa Cup due to an injury, but Janssen thinks his absence is more of a blessing than a loss.
“Ivory Coast is without Haller, but yes, I have to say that I don’t think that’s a big deal,” Janssen says plainly. The former midfielder sees little of the striker who once made waves at Ajax and in his first period in Utrecht. “If you see Haller playing football at Utrecht now, there is not much left of it.”
According to Janssen, the physical condition of the French-Ivorian is below par. “He has difficulty walking, turning, there is no speed anymore. It has really, really dropped.”
“So I think Ivory Coast should be happy that he is injured,” Janssen said loudly.
Haller was injured last Sunday in the cup match against NAC Breda (1-1), shortly after coming on as a substitute. Although coach Ron Jans initially reported that it seemed to be not too bad, the damage turned out to be such that the Ivorian Football Association definitively ruled out his participation in the Africa Cup.
The 31-year-old striker has had a turbulent year. He also suffered an injury in the preparation for the 2023 African Cup of Nations, but was nevertheless included in the selection. In the final against Nigeria he was crowned match winner with the decisive 2-1, making himself immortal in Ivory Coast.
