OPINION
When you think of a player that fits the term proven Premier League forward, there is no one that springs to mind quite like West Ham’s Javier Hernandez.
The Mexican international has left his mark on the English top-flight throughout his career, with the experienced forward having fired Manchester United to titles during his time at Old Trafford.
Hernandez has featured 156 times in the Premier League, scoring 52 goals and adding 16 assists, with his poaching style suiting English football perfectly.
With the arrival of club-record signing Sebastien Haller, the 31-year-old is destined for a back-up role next season, with Michael Antonio a third option to come off the bench when needed.
Despite having three options, reputable news outlet Football Insider reported on Monday that the Hammers have entered talks with Basel forward Albian Ajeti over a potential signing.
The 22-year-old did score 14 goals and added eight assists last season in 32 league appearances, but despite that, Hernandez must surely be given the chance to be the Hammers’ main back-up options behind Haller.
Even though he was in a rotation role last season, Hernandez finished as the club’s third-highest scorer and still is very capable of providing goals at any time of games in the next campaign.
The experienced forward is clinical in front of goal and averaged 1.5 shots per game last season. His desire for goals is highlighted by the fact that he only averaged 0.2 key passes in each outing highlights that his sole purpose is to score goals – something Pellegrini must utilise [Source: WhoScored].
West Ham must put their reported pursuit of the Switzerland international to bed and concentrate on what he already has available to him at the London Stadium and keep faith in the Mexican.
Hernandez must surely be given the chance to provide that backup so desperately needed for Haller, with the club surely looking past the Mexican in their pursuit for a forward.
