OPINION
For all of West Ham United’s spending this summer, they still need a striker, and Mario Balotelli would fit the bill.
So far this summer, West Ham’s transfer business can only be described as sensational. The signings of Issa Diop, Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko, Felipe Anderson, Ryan Fredericks, Fabian Balbuena and Lukasz Fabianski for a combined sum of £85.5million show that The Hammers mean serious business this season.
They’ve improved the squad in every single area, apart from the striker position.
The current striking options, compared to the rest of the squad, are below par. Javier Hernandez is a good poacher and could be useful off the bench but Andy Carroll, who recently has been ruled out for three months with injury, needs to be sold as soon as possible. Whilst Jordan Hugill, a January signing from Preston North End, was never good enough for the club and seems likely to be on the way out this summer.
The Hammers need to go big and bold with their striker signing, which is why Balotelli should be signed.
The controversial Italian is more well-known for his antics than his goalscoring in English football, but a lot has happened since then and although he does still get in trouble here and there, overall he’s a much better player and character than he was.
His record for Nice last season was outstanding, scoring 26 goals in 38 appearances for the French side. He had a dazzling 2017/18 season, showing his pace, skill, strength and finishing ability on a regular basis.
His time in England came too early in his career. He was too immature, too young and too inexperienced to take advantage of the opportunity he was given.
Now is the perfect time to bring him back to the Premier League. Manuel Pellegrini must do everything he can to bring Balotelli to the club because he could make the difference for West Ham next season.
