The past few weeks speculation has been creeping in linking West Ham United with Birmingham City starlet Nathan Redmond. But is he worth the punt, or is Manchester City outcast Scott Sinclair the better option?
Redmond, 19, has been stealing the headlines at City with many favouring him to break into the England set-up in the next few years after performing in the national youth squads since the U16s.
Since his career took off in 2010, he has managed to notch up 62 appearances performing for the Blues, the only question that remains his how many games does he have left till he seeks pastures new? English talent is always in demand and there are likely to be at least 5 teams considering making a move for the wonderkid.
The games I have watched that he has been involved in, I find it hard to fault the lad. He his blessed with great pace and isn’t afraid to run at his fullback and try his luck. One thing that worries me about him is at times he can drift in and out of a game. It’s a valid point that wingers are not always going to be involved, but movement off the ball is just as important as it is on it, and at times he is too static. There is no doubt his potential is great and with the right tutoring he can go really far.
The question I ask myself, is yes he is young and has a long career ahead of him, but surely another season in the championship can’t do him wrong? Especially when we have the chance to go for a player who is very similar (although slightly older) but with more experience, in Scott Sinclair?
Sinclair caught the eye on many accounts when he came up with Swansea, after being a lethal scorer and provider through the season. On the 30th May back in 2011 he scored a hat-trick in the lay-off final securing the club promotion to the Premier League for the first time, and hasn’t looked back since.
After a blistering first season in the league, he was signed by moneybags Manchester City, but has only managed to make 11 appearances all season with Roberto Mancini opting for a style of play, which he believed didn’t suit Sinclair.
Mancini has already voiced his concern over the player’s short-term future at the club and is considering letting him leave, in order to get matches under his belt, which he feels a player of his calibre should be getting.
Both of the players could provide us with flair that we are seriously lacking and would add more class to a squad that lacks attacking minded players. But with Mathew Jarvis, Ricardo Vaz Te, Joe Cole and Mathew Taylor already competing for places, the wings aren’t a position of urgent concern. Although tweaking it up isn’t something I will turn down, especially if it’s one of these two we are considering signing.
With Birmingham City apparently asking for £10million for the youngster, it could be a price worth paying if his potential materialises. On the other hand Sinclair could well be available at a cut price of around £5million, an option Allardyce should really consider.
If given the choice to pick one of these this time next year I would pick Redmond, however, right now Sinclair is the better option, as he is at the level Redmond will be at in a years time. Signing either of these two will surely only benefit us and no doubt make us a stronger team and take us in the right direction in terms of the quality we attract to the club.
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We should be looking to get ravell Morrison and rob hall back and in the squad both have been getting man of the matches playing for city we will end up using them in some deal for someone then they will go on to have top careers . It’s time to blood the young ones Turgott been knocking goals in and plays out wide
no chance with fat sam
Steve rogers! I agree!
I agree and why not buy both and loan redmond back to Redmond with a recall opportunity I case he’s on fire, young and hungry is the way forward
Birmingham fan in peace: ravel has been fantastic for us, no doubt about it the boy is premier league class, reminds me of gazza how he drifts around players, him and Redmond in the same team works very well and very frightening for any defense, but can sam get them playing? Clarke had done well this season and showed faith in our youth set up and young loanees and they have showed it back on the field, if u do get Redmond and keep ravel, exciting times ahead. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Thanks for the first hand account. Good luck to the Brum next season!
fat sam dont give youth players a chance,wish we had martinez in charge…
Yeah then we’d be relegated! Sitting 10th in the league 2 games to go… couldnt have asked for more.
Doesnt give youth a chance, can he afford to? 1st season back, need to win games and count on experiance. Now we are safe should he give youth a chance? No, the higher finish the more money, important given the financial fair play rules.
Redmond is an established younger player, and would certainly be starting many games for west ham. Morrison – im not convinced by him, but lets see what happend.
Martinez in charge? No thanks… Its very easy to b critical, but no matter what Sam has done well.
He did against Wigan in the cup and we got slaughtered. They need bringing through the way he did with Potts and Spence. Not all at once or to often. He needed to stay up this year and he did what was needed.
agreed I hope BFS changes his youth policy next season. He’s proved how good we are so now prove how good u r Big Sam and get our youth involved along with new signings and let’s see if u can push us on .
we do not need to consolidate next season but top 10 will surrfice . but in our deluded way we want a top 7 finish….oh and a decent cup run…
cheers Coyi
I agree get Sinclair to add a spark ravel to come back in to the middle Redmond would be very good but no way 10 million. It’s time Taylor and maybe vaz te went out we need a left back and diame and Carroll to sign deals
Hall, Morrison, Redmond…. Exiting times… I hope…
Or do you have to be 30th something?… I hope not…
Stability is fine, but there are limits…
according to you they have to be under 20?? … i for one dont look forward to us relying on youngsters to much. On the bench as subs and back-ups yes. Sinclair is fine though…mid 20s is really the best time for footballers imho.
You say West ham chase England duo and write a load of crap. Dick head.
jordon spence must get a chance,superb right back
Scott Sinclair all day mate!!
Man and Van Watford
Birmingham fan here. Redmond would be available for much less than 10m – we sold Butland for 3m FFS! I’d drive Redmond there for you myself if you gave us 6m for him!
NR is a great prospect but personally I don’t think he’s ready to move to the PL yet – he should continue to learn his trade in the Championship as Sinclair did, his final ball still disappoints and it remains to be seen if he will continue to develop as well as Sinclair has (prior to his MCFC move anyway).
seen him a couple of times this season and he stood out both times if we could get him for 5or 6m id do it as we need a right winger and vaz te would be a good part swap option
You Scummers live in a dream world.
The dirty duo in charge of your club have never been flush with money and even Fat Sam has moaned about the lack of money available this season so where are you going to stump up the money for Andy Carroll and Sinclair and/or Redmond?
Lunatics.