With Nuno Espirito Santo aiming to make his mark on the present squad, West Ham United have reportedly joined the race to signal a Manchester Metropolis star at a discount value in January.
Jamie Carragher blasts “stunning” West Ham
Whether or not it has been below Graham Potter or now Nuno, West Ham haven’t been ok this season. Sat as little as nineteenth within the Premier League with one win to their title, the Hammers enter their sport in opposition to Leeds United on Friday in determined want of a optimistic end result.
After being eased apart by Brentford on Monday, their relegation fears have been uncovered on the London Stadium. Former Liverpool star and Sky Sports activities pundit Jamie Carragher did not maintain again after the sport both, blasting West Ham as “stunning”.
“Stunning, they usually’ve been stunning for some time. I can not consider a much less athletic group I’ve seen for a really, very very long time within the Premier League. It is one of many slowest groups I’ve seen in Premier League soccer.
“West Ham, with that squad of gamers, regardless of who the supervisor is, have been all the time going to have an issue as a result of I do not suppose they’ll cope bodily.”
The numbers additionally do not make for fairly studying. Solely Chelsea have coated much less distance than the Hammers within the Premier League this season and that is not just because they’ve held the vast majority of possession. Actually, solely 4 groups have held much less possession than the London facet – sparking severe issues.
Sky Sports activities additionally revealed that the one distance metric that West Ham are ranked excessive in is distance walked. For a facet struggling close to the underside, that merely cannot be accepted.
There’s loads of work for Nuno to do, however he should additionally make sure that he will get the gamers he wants when the January switch window swings open.
West Ham now racing to signal Mateo Kovacic
As reported by Caught Offside, West Ham are actually racing to signal Mateo Kovacic from Manchester Metropolis, who’ve made the Croatian out there at a discount value amid rumours that he will not be getting a brand new contract on the Etihad.
The Hammers aren’t the one ones , nonetheless. Aston Villa and AC Milan are additionally chasing the midfielder’s signature and the latter could also be tempted to hitch compatriot and good pal Luka Modric on the San Siro.
While Kovacic is starting to turn into surplus to necessities at Man Metropolis, he could be a wonderful coup for West Ham. A multiple-time Premier League winner, Champions League winner and former Actual Madrid participant, the 31-year-old could be a significant improve on the likes of Tomas Soucek.
PL stats 24/25 | Kovavic | Soucek |
|---|---|---|
Minutes | 2,198 | 2,567 |
Progressive Carries | 56 | 9 |
Progressive Passes | 164 | 74 |
Objectives | 6 | 9 |
Beforehand described as “extraordinary” by Man Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola, Kovacic continues to be greater than able to starring within the Premier League. With simply over a yr remaining on his present deal, the Croatian ought to look in direction of the likes of West Ham as the right likelihood to remain put in England’s prime flight.
