West Ham have been close to crisis in both of the last two games. Against Liverpool, Max Kilman left the pitch clutching his ribs after failed treatment to alleviate he pain – and against Manchester City Jean Clair Todibo limped off with what looked like a calf problem. West Ham are operating with just three centre backs in something of a gamble this season; Should either of these injuries be prolonged then Kaelan Casey or Edson Alvarez will be pressed into action as an emergency centre back.
Not surprisingly, then, the stories are growing that the Hammers are looking for a budget reinforcement for the back line in January. givemesport.com suggest that Nice’s defender Kevin Danso is now on the Hammers radar, having Premier League experience but without a Premier League price tag:”The 24-cap Austria international, hailed as ‘rapid’, could get a second opportunity in the Premier League. West Ham aren’t the only potential suitors in English football’s top flight.”
Danso did fail a medical for a previous move to Roma after a heart problem was identified- which has thankfully since been resolved and the 26 year old former Southampton man now declared fully fit to play.
Once labelled ‘a beast’ of a defender, Danso would certainly give pacy cover for the back line: Speed is in short supply and stand-in defender Alvarez would hardly add anything in that dimension.
West Ham need to stop shipping goals so somehow need to make an acquisition with virtually zero budget: At about £20 million the defender is half the price West Ham paid for Max Kilman and could probably be funded by fringe player outgoings in January.
