24 year old Turkish international Gökhan Töre has completed the long awaited move to West Ham in a deal very similar to the one of Lanzini’s last season.
Slaven Bilic made it clear that he would like to bring the wide man to West Ham after striking up a good relationship whilst at Besiktas. Many West Ham fans including myself are excited to see Töre play for the club and hopefully he will contribute to the many goals scored in West Ham’s much anticipated first season at the Olympic Stadium.
According to soccersouls.com, Töre has in the past been scouted by Manchester United and Arsenal. Some Hammers might not know much about the 5ft 9 midfielder but the fact that some of the big teams in England were interested suggests he is a talented footballer. Various Turkish publications have praised Töre for stellar performances and in some quarters of Turkey, Gökhan has been touted as “the best dribbler in the Turkish league.”
West Ham’s offensive options next season look extremely good with the likes of Payet, Lanzini, Feghouli, Antonio and Töre all capable of playing in central and wide roles. It’ll be interesting to see how Bilic lines up next season because there is a lot of competition in the attacking areas. Competition within a squad is fantastic and Bilic definitely has that now, but if the former Hamburg player arrives with the pace, skill and power he has demonstrated in the Turkish Süper Lig, I’d expect him to be a first team regular.
Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini often float between wide and central areas and it would appear as if Michail Antonio will start as a right back. Therefore, Gökhan Töre’s only real competition in terms of an out and out winger is the other new signing, Sofiane Feghouli. West Ham fans can expect a modern day winger who is fast, likes to cut in on his left foot and is strong. In an interview, the 24 year old stated that he is “Unselfish and a hard worker.” I would expect Töre to accumulate more assists than goals because he is a team player but with the likes of Payet and Lanzini alongside him, he should never be short of chances.
In summary, West Ham have done very well to sign Gökhan Töre because I think he is a passionate player who possesses the required attributes to prosper in the Premier League. One Besiktas fan described him as ‘quick and skilful also with an eye for goal.’ With the Turkish international likening Bilic to a ‘father figure’, as fans we can only hope he performs well alongside other fantastic attackers and under Bilic’s management.
