OPINION
For West Ham United, this summer has appeared to include a desire to recruit a new centre back to compete with existing first team duo Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena.
As far back as April, Football London reported that Hammers director of football Mario Husillos had identified Alaves centre half Guillermo Maripan as a priority transfer target.
It’s all gone a bit quiet in regards to the Chilean, though, and it appears it’s a defender far closer to home who has now caught the eye of the West Ham decision-makers.
90 Min reported on Thursday that the Hammers are one of a clutch of Premier League teams taking a look at Chelsea’s veteran centre back Gary Cahill, who will be available on a free this summer. The former England international is said to have a preference for remaining in London.
However, that is surely a swoop that Husillos and manager Manuel Pellegrini must give the boot. There’s simply no need to bring in a past-his-best, expensive (in wages), player like Cahill.
Yes, he’s a two-time Premier League winner and would certainly bring a winning mentality, but he’s not good enough to be starting regularly ahead of Diop and Balbuena.
As per Spotrac, the former Bolton Wanderers man was making £100,000-per-week for the Blues last season. That’s just silly money for a reserve option.
Because, when you look at the statistics, that’s what Cahill would be. As Per WhoScored, in his last full campaign of regular Premier League football – 2017/18 – the Englishman failed to beat what Balbuena, Diop or Angelo Ogbonna achieved this term in any significant defensive statistical category.
That lack of performance, coupled with his age (33), tells you all you need to know about why this is a move best avoided for West Ham this summer.
