Spurs drove straight through West Ham’s midfield last week as if it was made of cardboard. A summer revamp has not worked, with Lpetegui’s selected trio losing out in pace, possession and passing: Rodriguez leaden-footed, Soucek just as he always has been and Paquetá a shadow of the player whose work rate and pin-point passing delighted supporters two years ago. Edson Alvarez, the yellow-card liability, didn’t even make the starting eleven.
So the news that West Ham are eyeing up a genuine, skilful box to box midfielder for recruitment in January is welcome indeed. Richard Rios, Colombian midfielder for Palmieras, has been attracting interest from The Irons who are planning to bid for the €15 million -rated 24 year old in January.
Rios was instrumental in helping his national side to the final of the Copa America in the summer, and interest was said to be there in July from Manchester United at €17 million which wasn’t enough to tempt his owners.
Caughtoffside.com quote South American news source Hoy Diario Del Magdalena in claiming that alongside interest from PSG and AC Milan, West Ham are keen: “Blessed with impressive close control and flair, the 24-year-old will add creativity and drive to the West Ham midfield. Furthermore, his physicality and defensive work rate will add some much-needed combative presence to the West Ham midfield. The Hammers have missed a midfielder like him since the departure of Declan Rice.”
Richard Rios scoring for Colombia in the Copa America
Very true. And much needed in January owing to the sluggish Rodriguez being laboured and insufficiently pacy for the Premier League. Consider also that Paquetá may be about to receive a lifetime ban and West Ham suddenly look wafer thin in midfield. All well and good having a decent back four but without a combative, fast and competitive midfield, we will be exposed by mid and upper-table teams like Spurs were after week.
A €15 million acquisition in January would make a lot of sense providing we can convince the player – but with no European football to attract new recruits and interest form other ‘superclubs’ across Europe – that’ll be a very tall order. Likely the price will double anyway so – player sales will be needed.
