OPINION
The international break is most fans worst nightmare as the season begins to get going, but it wouldn’t be for West Ham United fans if their club could use it to their advantage.
For players that aren’t called upon by their nations, the two-week gap can be used as a welcome break to recharge the batteries, and as for the Hammers, they can use the window as an opportunity to further scout potential signings.
Manuel Pellegrini took his business to the final day of the transfer window this summer, with Albian Ajeti moving to East London, whilst the beginning of September saw the club sanction the exit of Javier Hernandez.
West Ham may not have got every deal over the line that they wanted to in the end though – with ExWHUemployee reporting that the club had scouted PSV Eindhoven winger Donyell Malen in July.
That deal didn’t materialise in the end though, and Friday evening saw Holland travel to Germany, with Malen making his senior international debut in the game.
The exciting PSV talent scored in the clash with the Germans as Holland managed to secure all three points with an impressive 4-2 victory.
West Ham could have been watching Malen with intent in the game, but they have surely left it too late to sign the electrifying winger who continues to impress.
Despite featuring 25 times off the bench in his 31 appearances in the Eredivisie last season, the 20-year-old managed to score an impressive 10 goals in the end, as well as adding four assists for his side.
Malen has also continued that form into the start of this season, scoring a single goal whilst making the jump and starting all four games of the new season so far.
The Dutchman has averaged three shots on goal as well as completed two dribbles and delivering a single key pass this season according to WhoScored, proving he is a major threat in all areas of the pitch, with the ability to both score and assist goals with ease.
West Ham have surely left it too late to sign Malen, who will no doubt be attracting the interest of some of the biggest clubs in the world if he continues with the same form in this campaign.
