West Ham want Delap but there’s a hitch
June isn’t actually far away: twelve weeks and all that transfer nonsense starts again. West Ham need to complete the signing of at least one striker, probably two in the summer.
On a tight budget, that will be a tough call given how Premier League clubs are falling over each other to find ‘the next 20 goal hero’.
Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap has long been a favourite of Claret and Hugh readers who seem to think he is perfect for the Hammers.
Which may, or may not be true but West Ham will find themselves behind some pretty heavyweight competition for Delap’s signature if Ipswich Town are relegated.
Certainly Chelsea and Newcastle United are both admirers of Delap’s finishing prowess. as are West Ham – searching for a permanent solution to the front man issue that has dogged West Ham for years – this would I believe be the 55th striker signing of Sullivan’s tenure at the club.
However, as far as Delap is concerned, West Ham are likely to be disappointed as revealed by David Ornstein in nytimes.com/athletic who feels sure that “Chelsea aren’t his only suitors. I suspect there’s a good chance his next move is to a Champions League club”
And who can blame him.
Potter will bring best out of Hammers’ lacklustre genius
Indicative of West Ham’s struggles, this season is proving a challenge for Mohammed Kudus.
Compared with last season when he took the Premier League by storm, either opponents have worked out how to play against the Ghanaian or he has succumbed to a dip in form thanks to some poor coaching domestically and over expectation placed on his young shoulders by his national side.
Just 3 goals and 1 assist in 22 Premier League outings is a stark return compared with his 14 goals and 6 assists he recorded during his debut campaign across 42 games in both the Premier League and Europa League. The pressure from Ghana is intense every time pulls on the national shirt and indeed, shows no sign of abating.
In an article reported in footboom1.com, Kudus is exalted to ‘reclaim his position among the world elite‘ by one Dr. Ernest Koranteng, apparently a consultant in Ghana in sports business, media, and marketing. Whilst the article warns of ‘the high expectations following his impressive displays in previous seasons.‘ it then goes on – without the merest hint of irony – to pile even further pressure on the young man’s shoulders by comparing him to the worlds best:
“Every top player experiences ups and downs in their career, and I believe the challenges Kudus has faced recently are temporary. I urge him to claim his rightful place among the world’s footballing elite alongside Mbappe, Vinicius, and Salah”. Give the guy a break. He has enough expectation without being compared to the ‘world elite’ just yet.
The hitherto lacklustre Kudus produced a standout display against Arsenal and appears to be getting back to the form of his first season. Newcastle on Monday night, under the lights, at London Stadium can see Kudus’ building on his Arsenal performance and surely Graham Potter will resist the daft calls to ‘bench’ his forward.
Without the hype, the pressure and the expectation, Kudus coached by Potter will find his way back to form which deserted him under Lopetegui. Class is permanent.
