There were many positive signs from last night’s FA Cup defeat against Aston Villa. Sadly the exit of Niclas Fullkrug wasn’t one of them. After enduring three months of injury and rehab, the 31 year old front man was just getting back to match fitness. He actually played a pivotal part in West Ham’s early strike, linking up play well before Kudus and Summerville pressed on. However tempting it is to drone on in hindsight about the wisdom of signing an injury-prone 31 year old, the fact is that West Ham’s striker situation is now critical and has to be the number one priority in January.
No Jarrod Bowen, No Michail Antonio and now no Niclas Fullkrug. The wizened, championship – level Danny Ings is now the club’s only striker. And as we saw last night, he’s “the invisible man” when deployed.
So under four weeks to bring someone to the club means this is now urgent.
No excuses. Lille have priced Canadian front man Jonathan David at £25 million since he is in his last six months of a contract. 17 goals this season. 24 years old.
When I see all of the second tier strikers West Ham are linked with at £15-£20 million, it is time for the board to learn the lesson of the Jhon Duran debacle, pay decent money and get a first class, young, fit and functional striker. Wherever the money comes from, it makes football and financial success even if fringe players have to be evicted.
No goals, no points.
And please, not a ‘cheap striker imitation’ from the championship to save about £5 million. We’ve all, as teenagers on the beach in Mallorca, bought ‘Rolex’ £10 imitation Chinese copy watches and seen them fall apart after a week.
Jonathan David at £25 million or Emmanuel Latte Lath for £20 million. No-brainer.
David for £25 million would be as good a piece of business as Wan-Bissaka was for £15 million. As 3addedminutes.com report:”West Ham picking him up for £25m would be an absolute steal, particularly at a time when the club are desperate for goals with both Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen missing from first team action.”
Do the right thing, West Ham, support your new head coach. Build for the future.
