Do West Ham need to worry about Mohamed Diame?

For a lot of last season, especially from early December onwards, the contract stance of Mo Diame was up for debate.

In a window where many were looking for a story to grip their talons into, Diame’s contract was one that was highly debated on. The trait of looking for a story that is not really there happens most transfer windows, but more so last January as there was very little movement in that window. Newcastle United looked for a French revolution; Harry tried to save Rangers with Remy and Samba, and David Beckham wrote a eulogy to his career in Paris. Apart from these moves, and Joe Cole coming home, little happened. This meant that the media’s trait of looking for stories, that weren’t actually there carried into the January window. Although, there was some truth to the Diame situation.  Despite last summer signing Diame, it was reported that he could be leaving the club the very next January. 7 months on, and I ask the question, should we be worried if Diame was to leave the club due to his contract?

In my opinion, not right now. If Diame, which would be unlikely, wanted to force a move from the club, and cite that his release clause allows him to leave, it wouldn’t be too big a blow to the club. I see Diame as a crucial part of our squad, and I see him as a part of our team that would be highly detrimental if he was to leave. He would be a detriment to the club because his role is such a crucial one. When he joined the club, I was under the impression he would sit in front of the defence, and this would allow Mark Noble to be a second midfielder to Kevin Nolan. However, this has been the role Diame has played, and he has played this role very well. Not just for the performances over Chelsea and Manchester United, but for his impact in the team throughout the year. He allowed Gary O’Neil and Noble to comfortably sit in front of the defence because he was in front creating passing opportunities. When Diame received the ball, he would run, and how he would run. Charging through midfields and defences. Not allowing the other team to get a hold of him was key. This is why he was linked with Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool. Simply because he could be the terrier that some of those sides miss. Liverpool misses the work of Xabi Alonso, and Arsenal miss Patrick Vieira. I am not for one-minute comparing Diame’s ability to those two. Diame, as good as he is, lacks range and skill to his passing that those two have. His role and workload is comparable to Viera and Alonso. Nevertheless, I still feel that we should not be too bothered if he left the club.

Football isn’t the business it used to be, mainly because very little players stay at one club longer than 4 or 5 years. Diame has been with West Ham United for just one year, and an impressive year it was. Although, there are others around. If he was to leave the club, which I hope he wouldn’t, we could easily find a replacement. Alou Diarra could step in, Ravel Morrison could be given the chance many feel he will get, or even West Ham United’s man of promise for the last few years, Jack Collison. All of those could step into his role. If not internally solving that potential problem, you could look around the league for a replacement. For example, players such as Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Steve Sidwell could all fit well into West Ham United’s system. I highly value Mo Diame, and hope that he signs a new contract. Yet if he was to leave, I would be the first to trust in Collison or Morrison to fill that vacant role.