Josh Maja arrived at Le Havre late, short of rhythm and still waiting for the paperwork that would allow him to train properly. Now, with Lille next on Saturday at 17:15, the Nigerian forward believes his first goal for the club could be the start of a run.
Quick facts
- Maja joined Le Havre on 31 July on a one-year deal with a further year available as an option.
- The 27-year-old had no full pre-season and was delayed by visa formalities.
- He scored in Le Havre’s 3-2 defeat at Toulouse on 19 September.
- During the international break, he struck a hat-trick in a 6-1 friendly win over Ligue 2 side Boulogne-sur-Mer.
- Le Havre travel to Lille on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 17:15.
The London-born striker was put forward to face the media on Thursday, another indication that his difficult first weeks at the Normandy club are beginning to lift. Maja had initially been unable to build fitness with the squad after his arrival, with his visa situation preventing him from training and playing immediately.
His first appearances brought frustration. In the 1-1 draw at Lyon on 29 August, a ball brushed Maja’s arm after he had been pushed by Moussa Niakhaté, ruling out what would have been the winning goal for Keito Nakamura.
Two disappointing starts followed: a 2-1 home defeat to Brest on 5 September and a goalless draw with Angers a week later. But at Toulouse, despite another defeat for Didier Digard’s side, Maja offered a sharper performance and opened his Le Havre account.
The break then gave him further minutes and a timely burst of confidence. His three goals against Boulogne-sur-Mer came in Le Havre’s only friendly during the period, and Maja feels the recent sequence of starts has changed his physical condition.
“Starting the last three matches has given me much more confidence physically, as well as the confidence to feel ready,” he said. “During my career, once I start scoring, the goals tend to come one after another.”
Maja also pointed to work on Le Havre’s collective attacking patterns during the break. “We did good things to become cleaner and more connected,” he said. “To score goals, everybody has to be connected. I like working, so I really used the break well.”
Digard has been struck by the forward’s approach since his arrival. The coach said Maja’s work ethic was the most impressive he had encountered at Le Havre, adding that the striker spends so much time at the training centre that he can resemble a member of staff.
For Digard, the physical issue is now resolved. “I think he is at 100 per cent,” the coach said.
The manager has also seen enough in training to expect Maja’s finishing to translate into league goals. “What he does in front of goal is really impressive,” Digard said. “It is the best I have seen, by far.”
Lille will offer a far harder test than a friendly against Boulogne-sur-Mer, but Maja heads north with his rhythm returning and Le Havre hoping their new striker’s delayed start is finally over.
