West Ham haven’t had a decent right midfielder for a long time, probably since Yossi Benayoun’s first stint at the club in 2006. After a great season in the Championship as an attacker Ricardo Vaz Te was placed at right midfield last season, he did not play particularly well at all, he had a few good games here and there but doesn’t have the pace or crossing ability needed for a winger in the Premier League.
A lot of rumours about wingers have been flying around on Twitter recently, names such as Milner, Zaha, Kalou and Sinclair have been mentioned. Milner would be a great acquisition for the club, he has a great cross and can pick out a pass too, however he does lack pace and is far more comfortable in the centre of midfield, I also can’t see West Ham being able to afford his high wages.
Zaha would be a great signing, he has an abundance of skill and pace, he is a very unique talent and would add something completely new to the squad, as we lack pace in the squad and certainly lack skill. It looks like Crystal Palace are favourites to get Zaha though, as he would be more comfortable back at Selhurst Park, that is if Man United even want to loan him out at all.
Saloman Kalou is probably the most likely transfer option, he is available from Lille for £2.5m, and can play on both wings and also just being the striker, the 27 year old Ivorian has a lot of previous experience in the Premier League having spent 6 years at Chelsea. Kalou has a fair amount of pace and isn’t afraid to cut inside and take a shot, although his crossing ability is not as good as the likes of Milner or Sinclair who would provide good opportunities for Carroll and maybe Wilfried Bony.
Sinclair could be available on loan from City if Pellegrini doesn’t see him being part of their future plans. If West Ham do get Sinclair on loan, both he and Jarvis would have a lot of freedom as they are both comfortable on the right or left side, Sinclair also has a good cross and is also likely to score a few goals over the course of the season.
What some West Ham fans forget is that we do have a capable winger already, Modibo Maiga was barely used last year despite costing the club £5m, I am assuming something went on behind the scenes as a player of his ability should not be on our subs bench, when Maiga did play he looked incredible lively from the wing, he assisted Kevin Nolan against Reading after only a few minutes, he also scored as a substitute against Chelsea and Southampton too.
The best possible case in my opinion would be the signing of Sinclair or Zaha on loan, also keeping hold of Maiga and actually give him some game time, this way we have 3 or 4 useable wingers for the coming season.
Modibo Maiga is a bit of a mystery. Hardly used but good when he was. I can’t recall seeing any suggestion of controversy surrounding him which might explain him not being used.Surely we either fit him in or let him go.
With the exception of Danny Potts’ “effort” at Sunderland, Modibo Maiga at home against Stoke was the worst individual performance I saw all last season. He was rank when he came on against Newcastle too and contrary to your assertion there have been questions surrounding his application in training all season.
Summary: A punt that didn’t come off…
I hope we get an actual winger and stop trying to fit strikers into the role. We need a cheapish backup striker who’s better than Cole (can’t be too hard!) and a more pricey winger, Milner if BFS is going to go 442 at last.
Then we need a RB who’s decent and bring on Morrison for more creation this year. £20m would sort us right out for them all but I can’t see that being spent, so Zaha on loan might be the only option
If we were to sign Sinclair or Zaha plus a holding midfielder (Parker) or (sane) and the rest of the budget should go to bony . Three players is all we would need
Given all that, specially BML’s comments about traing effort or lack thereof (I didn’t know about that) which seems to explain why he’s not being selected, shouldn’t we be trying to offload him?
Heres a thought…
Play the tight footed Jarvis on the right? So he doesnt have to cut back everytime. How about that?
And get a left winger instead?
Your spot on mate
Sinclair for me would give us and England a future front three . Jarvis and Sinclair can play wide crossing for Carroll a midfielder I would like is Huddleston who can play long passes from anywhere and shoots from distance. Given that we don’t have lots of money to spend I can see a few leaving
Bring him home..bring him home.Yossi can still do a job.Sending him back to Chelsea was absolute madness.Having to rely on Matt Taylor as centre midfield was crazy !We need both Joey and Yossi in the squad to supply creativity.We have to accept that neither will play 90 mins ,or will they play a full season.But with a good preseason behind them,they will deliver !We badly need creativity in midfield
Moses from chelsea would be perfect. 22 years old, versatile powerful and scores goals plus is a proven prwm player