OPINION
West Ham United have been in the hunt for Besiktas midfielder Gary Medel before, and it wasn’t a particularly inspiring move then.
The Hammers fans will surely be shaking their heads in disbelief, then, to see Claret & Hugh report on Wednesday that the club’s director of football Mario Husillos wants to continue his pursuit of the Chilean this summer.
Medel could be brought in for around £4million, as Manuel Pellegrini searches for an experienced head to back up Declan Rice in central midfield.
That in and of itself isn’t a bad idea, but Medel as the specific target is. He’s basically a carbon copy of Carlos Sanchez, a veteran defensive midfielder who was an absolute flop of a signing last summer.
Medel will turn 32 years of age in August, with his best days very firmly behind him. Is there seriously not someone better Husillos could target in central midfield?
West Ham are an ambitious club, they want to be best of the rest outside the top six in the Premier League at the very least. So why would they pursue a sub-standard signing who is past his best and has a poor track record in English football from his time with Cardiff City?
The answer seems to be that he’s cheap, but is that really a reason for the Hammers to bring him in? Let’s show a bit more ambition shall we? Come on.
Husillos needs to learn his lesson from the Sanchez singing last summer. These ageing midfielders are more susceptible to injury and, even if they stay fit, they can’t perform how they used to.
It’s time that the West Ham chiefs had a rethink. Medel may be attractive from a financial perspective, but from a footballing one he’s the last thing the Hammers need.
