OPINION
They say that patience is virtue, and that good things come to those who wait.
That’s certainly a sentiment that West Ham fans will be echoing with glee this season after the eventual advent of Andriy Yarmolenko.
The Ukrainian arrived in east London to great fanfare last summer, but found himself sidelined for much of last season after suffering a crushing ligament injury.
This term has been an entirely different affair, however, and he has started the campaign as one of the Hammers’ most dangerous attacking threats.
With 2.1 shots, 1.8 key passes, and a rate of dispossession at just 0.9 times per match, as per Whoscored, it is clear that the 29-year-old is a well-rounded and exciting player on the front foot.
In fact, if you want an indication of just how significant he has become, look no further than Sam Inkersole’s piece on his absence from the 2- defeat to Everton on Sunday.
Writing in an article for Football.London, he said: “His announcement as a substitute ahead of kick off on Merseyside was met with howls of derision.”
Those are pretty strong words, but they also reflect the strong feelings that supporters have developed for the international in recent weeks.
It’s taken him a while to prove what he can do, and the key remains staying fit and firing, but at his current rate, Yarmolenko is on course for a very, very good season.
If nothing else, it is hard to imagine Manuel Pellegrini benching him again any time soon.
