Terem Moffi: 2 areas Nigerian striker needs to improve for Hamburg – Polzin

Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi is growing into a goalscoring form at Hamburger SV after a difficult beginning to the season, but head coach Merlin Polzin believes the Nigerian still has significant room for improvement.

The 27-year-old scored in consecutive matches against Eintracht Frankfurt, finding the net in both the DFB-Pokal and Bundesliga encounters, although Hamburg suffered 3-1 defeats on both occasions.

Those goals handed Moffi a timely confidence boost after persistent knee problems disrupted his preparation and prevented him from reaching full fitness during the opening weeks of the campaign.

His recent performances have earned him more opportunities in the starting XI, but Polzin has made it clear that the striker has not yet reached the level expected of him.

Speaking ahead of Hamburg’s Bundesliga meeting with Borussia Mönchengladbach, the coach identified two areas of development that will determine how much more Moffi can offer the team.

2 areas Terem Moffi must improve – Hamburg coach Polzin

1. Physical condition remains a priority for Moffi

The first challenge is getting Moffi back to his full physical capacity after the knee problems that affected his availability earlier in the season.

The former OGC Nice striker was initially used as a substitute because he was not fit enough to contribute consistently from the start, although he hasn’t played 90 minutes in a single game for the six-time Bundesliga winners.

Although his recent goals suggest that he is becoming more comfortable, Polzin believes there is still work to do before he reaches his desired condition.

“Terem is certainly not yet at 100% of what I envisage, or what he also envisages for himself,” the Hamburg coach explained in quotes revealed by Liga Insider.

Polzin also pointed to the club’s short training weeks as a factor that has made it difficult to increase Moffi’s workload.

For Hamburg, getting the Nigerian fully fit could be important as the team looks to make better use of his physical qualities in attack.

2. Moffi must improve his overall game

The second area concerns his overall development and how consistently he can deliver the qualities Hamburg brought him in to provide.

Polzin has already seen encouraging signs, particularly Moffi’s physical presence, instinct in front of goal and ability to shield the ball under pressure.

These attributes give Hamburg another option in attack, but the coach wants the striker to build on them rather than regard his recent goals as the end of the process.

“Terem regains confidence in his game through the goals, which, of course, every player needs,” the 35-year-old said.

“If you ask me about this process, we are still right in the middle of it and definitely not yet at the end of what I expect from him.”

The coach also praised Moffi’s willingness to work on his shortcomings and his determination to improve every day.

That attitude will be important as the Nigerian looks to establish himself in Hamburg’s attack and Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad.

His goals against Frankfurt have been encouragin, but Polzin wants to see further progress in his fitness and overall contribution.

For Moffi, the next step is to turn those promising moments into consistent performances.