OPINION
It’s no secret that West Ham United have endured serious problems at left back throughout this season.
It was encouraging, then, to see the club linked with a move for Olympiakos man Leonardo Koutris last Sunday. However, Greek publication Sport 24‘s report stated that the Hammers would wait until the summer to make a move for the 23-year-old.
That is the issue here for West Ham. There is no possible reason why the club should wait several more months to address an issue that is causing them problems on a weekly basis.
Koutris has shown through his time with Olympiakos that he is a high level full back who can contribute in both the offensive and defensive sides of the game, just what Manuel Pellegrini needs.
Aaron Cresswell has put in some improved performances over the last month, but he is still not at the level of an undisputed Premier League starter, and the less said about Arthur Masuaku the better.
Koutris can plug that gap for the Hammers. He is already a decent player, while he is at an age where he’s only going to get better moving forward.
Furthermore, considering how long it can sometimes take players to acclimatise to English football, earlier is better in regards to this signing.
The Greek international struggled for game time at the start of this season but has since become indispensable for Pedro Martins’ side.
There is no undisputed starter at the London Stadium, merely two below par players jostling for position. A January move for Koutris, however, could change all that.
