West Ham fans have been salivating at the prospect of their on-loan winger Grady Diangana returning to the London Stadium next season.
His displays for Championship automatic promotion chasers West Bromwich Albion this season have certainly been eye-catching, scoring six times and assisting five in 19 starts for Slaven Bilic’s side, as per WhoScored. Against Hull City that was no different, grabbing a goal in his 18 minutes cameo, while also terrorising the opposition defence with his outstanding dribbling and close control.
Even though he received such limited-on pitch minutes against the Tigers, the 22-year-old completed nine dribbles, three more than his teammates combined.
His immediate impact off the bench highlights what a talented prospect the Englishman has been in the second division and many fans are excited at the prospect of Diangana making the step up to the Premier League next term.
Grady Diangana is absolute filth 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/2JJiuSMCuC
— West Ham News (@whufc_news) July 6, 2020
The English winger may only have two seasons of professional football under his belt, but one fan has even suggested that Diangana should oust former record signing Felipe Anderson. The Brazilian has been inconsistent during his second season at the London Stadium, failing to replicate last term’s output of nine strikes, having found the back of the net only once in the 2019/20 Premier League.
Get him back and sell Anderson and use the money on the defence
— tony little (@tonylittle29) July 6, 2020
While another frugal West Ham supporter also saw value in promoting the youth product ahead of Manuel Lanzini who has struggled with injury. This term the Argentine has not rediscovered his best Hammers form, failing to score while only providing two assists for David Moyes’ side.
Get rid of lanzini and play him instead improves the squad without spending
— Brecht Van Bockstal (@rammetridis) July 6, 2020
Diangana has some fans so convinced by his performances they would like to see the winger slot straight into the Irons’ front three next term, alongside Sebastien Haller and Jarrod Bowen.
him, haller, and bowen up top? yep.
— chris ⚒ (@ToastUnbothered) July 6, 2020
Meanwhile, others agreed, suggesting he is just what has been required on the left-wing. Winger Anderson, 2.6, has been the only player for West Ham to average more dribbles than Diangana’s 2.5 per 90 minutes this season.
He’s a proper left winger now, just what we needed.
— MJ (@amancalledmikey) July 6, 2020
While some fans liked what they saw, there were also those who believed there is still room for the 22-year-old talent to develop further when he returns to his parent club.
I said never to let him go on loan, we haven’t seen the best of him yet.
— John (@John01690584) July 6, 2020
Though one supporter, in particular, was thrilled at how the young talent had improved during his time in the Championship with West Brom. Diangana has been able to play consistently more under Bilic than his one season with the Hammers, making 13 more starts, allowing him to gain valuable professional experience.
The reason he was loaned out was to improve like this 🔥🔥🔥
— The Voice of the Voiceless (@Kayfabe_Heel) July 6, 2020
