da fazobetai： What an incredible season it’s already been for West Ham fans.
da lvbet： Far from the debased East London club we witnessed last season, seemingly fractured between manager, boardroom and fan-base over the issue of Sam Allardyce’s attritional philosophy, the Irons are currently fifth in the Premier League with five wins from 10 fixtures – including unlikely scalps of Manchester City and Liverpool.
With Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton and Spurs all struggling for form, the Hammers stand a real chance of qualifying for the Europa League this season.
But the campaign is still in its early stages and limited squad depth could eventually catch up with the Upton Park outfit. Some January additions certainly wouldn’t go amiss – so here’s FIVE that could make West Ham’s European dreams become a reality.
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ANDRE AYEW
Sam Allardyce loves his bargains and Marseille contract rebel Andre Ayew looks set to become one of the January window’s best value-for-money acquisitions.
Indeed, the Ghana international has emerged as one of the French top flight’s most potent widemen over the last few seasons, amassing an impressive return of 51 goals and 19 assists in 176 appearances for L’OM.
He produced good form at the 2014 World Cup too, as shown below:
The 24 year-old isn’t the most conventional winger – bizarrely for a 5 foot 9 forward, he’s exceptional good at heading:
//www.youtube.com/embed/0gIZogfsorU?rel=0
Ayew’s also strong defensively and notoriously versatile. In fact, he’s already featured in a plethora of different capacities for Marseille this term:
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, a January move is looking increasingly likely.
But involvement in the 2015 African Cup of Nations could put Allardyce off the Black Stars goal-scorer, and recent speculation suggests the Hammers will be fighting against a wealth of Premier League sides for Ayew’s signature:
YEVHEN KONOPLYANKA
Another winger option for Sam Allardyce to consider is summer target Yevhen Konoplyanka. The Hammers’ £9.5million bid fell on deaf ears, but they could have better luck in the new year when the Ukrainian international’s contract enters its final months. Konoplyanka currently plies his trade with Dnipro, where he boasts a return of 39 goals in 183 appearances – including two in twelve this season. Here’s a clip of the 25 year-old in action: //www.youtube.com/embed/zBSGaakkUsc?rel=0 Fearing losing him for free in the summer, Mirror Football claim Dnipro could be forced to sell for as little as £5million in January – almost half of the Hammers’ summer bid. But recent speculation suggests Tottenham Hotspur are currently the most interested party:
Mousa Dembele
There isn’t too much room in West Ham’s midfield at the moment – even Allardyce’s favourite on-pitch crony, Kevin Nolan, is struggling to get a look-in.
But should the Hammers attempt to boost their European chances in January in the form of a more attacking-minded option in midfield, then Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele is their man.
The Belgium international has never quite replicated the form that earned him a £15million move from Fulham to White Hart Lane in summer 2012. Here’s a look at Dembele in action for the Cottagers:
//www.youtube.com/embed/xCZotD1jC9c?rel=0
But he still comes with an impressive all-round, hard-working game, and the 27 year-old’s power and athleticism would fit in well with Allardyce’s attritional philosophy. Here’s his vitals from the last few seasons:
Furthermore, Dembele appears to have fallen afoul of Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, making just two Premier League starts since the beginning of the season.
That’s reportedly triggered interest from Everton:
But there’s still time for West Ham to muscle in, and allowing Dembele the opportunity to remain in London could give them a unique advantage over the Toffees.
GLEN JOHNSON
A controversial suggestion perhaps, considering most West Ham fans don’t take too kindly to the rabble of talented youngsters that abandoned them from the late 1990s to mid 2000s. But Glen Johnson presents a fantastic opportunity to add quality, depth and experience to the Upton Park squad at limited cost, with Liverpool reportedly telling the England international he’s free to talk to other clubs in January:
Indeed, the 30 year-old has been playing hardball over a new contract at Anfield for quite some time, rejecting a one-year extension during the summer, and it appears the Reds have finally decided it would be easier to let Johnson leave.
He’s not the most popular amongst the Reds fanbase either, but boasting almost 300 appearances in the top flight in addition to 54 caps for England, the right-back has a lot to offer his boyhood club. Here’s a clip of Johnson in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/Q4n944R9rsQ?rel=0
His box-to-box athleticism and attacking contribution would make the Hammers even more expansive going forward, and Liverpool are likely to let the Premier League veteran leave for a pittance.
But alleged £120k per-week wages could prove an issue, especially with Inter Milan reportedly monitoring Johnson’s situation:
DANNY INGS
Sam Allardyce suddenly finds himself privy to a wealth of options up top, with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia already netting nine times between them this season, Carlton Cole bagging two goals from the bench and Andy Carroll set to return from injury in the coming weeks. But a front-man of the more diminutive variety certainly wouldn’t go amiss and Big Sam likes his home-grown talents too, so should the Hammers launch a January swoop for Burnley’s Danny Ings? Still coming to terms with the intensity, pace and power of the top flight, the 22 year-old has netted just once in seven Premier League outings this season – this strike against Everton:
But the England U21 was in stunning form last term, bagging 21 goals in the Championship to assure Burnley’s promotion and claim the division’s Player of the Year award. Here’s a look at his top five strikes from last season:
//www.youtube.com/embed/kTcvOYcoMPc?rel=0
Capable of playing as an out-and-out centre-forward or as a No.10, Ings would add further variety to West Ham’s squad.
Furthermore, he’s continually delayed on a new contract at Turf Moor, so with his current deal set to expire in the summer, Burnley could be forced to sell in January – especially if their top flight survival bid is already over.
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