The FIFA World Cup, football’s biggest stage, a chance for a nobody to become a somebody. And, with West Ham on the prowl for fresh attacking talent, where better to look than Brazil?
The World Cup is in full swing and with West Ham’s record of buying after major tournaments you would be a daft man to bet against Sam Allardyce delving in the market on the back of a starring performance in Brazil.
You only have to look at Carlos Tevez in 2006, and Pablo Barrera in 2010 to be reminded that national tournament football is a great opportunity for a footballer to get his dream move to the Premier League.
David Sullivan has revealed that the Hammers are in the market for four new players following the arrival of Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate. With some shocks already at the World Cup and some names that have thrown themselves into the limelight here are my three to consider for Big Sam and his scouting team.
Jefferson Montero– Ecuador
The tricky attacking winger impressed before the World Cup in a warm-up game in Miami against England, scoring a long range pile driver as well as starting well at the World Cup.
The former Villarreal and Real Betis man could finally receive his dream move to the Premier League. Montero has made 41 caps for Ecuador scoring eight goals and has already started to turn heads, and Big Sam could see him as an ideal alternative to Matt Jarvis or Stewart Downing on the wing. A fee of around £4million could be enough to tempt Montero away from Mexico.
John Brooks – USA
The 6’4 German born centre-back looked the most reliable defender on the pitch for the States against Ghana after coming off the bench. Despite being turned rather easily for the African team’s goal, he threw his body in front of the ball and nodded home the winner for the US late on. Currently plying his trade at Hertha Berlin the 21-year-old wouldn’t cost the earth and if he continues to impress in Brazil you can bet a few clubs will have a close eye on the youngster.
Muhamed Bešić – Bosnia
Another German born player who plies his trade for another nation; Besic played in Bosnia’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina at the weekend the Berlin born man handled Lionel Messi well for large spells of the game.
With a muscular build the German man looks built for the Premier League and reads the game well. At 21, he has age on his side and fits in with Big Sam’s new plans of bringing in younger players with flair. The Bosnian international can cover at CDM and CB and could act as an ideal replacement for Mohamed Diame should the Senegalese man leave. Playing in the Hungarian league would once again mean he could well be found in the bargain basement. With a large amount of the £20 million spent on Kouyate, the Hammers may have to start looking at impressive players on a budget.
Brucey Bonus pick: Ricardo Rodriguez – Switzerland
Maybe less realistic but Rodriguez lit up the Ecuador vs Switzerland match with his bombing runs down the left hand side for the Swiss. With two assists, the 21-year-old deservedly took the Man of the Match award and will be turning heads of Premier League managers.
It has been well documented that the Hammers are on the lookout for an attack minded full back, and this man is the best-left back I’ve seen in a long time. The Wolfsburg man would once again fit in with the younger players mantra that Allardyce has promised to stick to and would certainly improve the West Ham starting line-up.
Who would be your names on the list from the players you’ve seen at the World Cup?
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Come on you Irons!
IF OUR TEAM GOES ANY MORE FOREIGN I WILL BE CANCELLING MY SEASON TICKETS. FOR GODS SAKE WHY NOT BRITISH PLAYERS.