“Bargain” | Wan-Bissaka Set for Cult Hero Status

Much of the build-up for West Ham’s game against Crystal Palace has cantered around players who have departed or are close to leaving Selhurst Park.

However, the return of one of the South London club’s former stars seems to have flown somewhat under the radar. The £15m signing has not quite received the attention of some of the Irons other summer recruits, but at his best, AWB is a top talent.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was a standout player for Crystal Palace before leaving for Manchester United in a transfer worth almost £50 million. The Londoner was a hot property at the time, with many tipping him to be England’s right-back for years to come.

At the age of 21, the young defender seemed to have the world at his feet, and his highlight reel of exceptional tackles had him hailed as the best one-on-one defender in the country.

The fact that his move to Manchester United didn’t turn out as expected is not really the fault of Wan-Bissaka. He joined the Old Trafford club at a challenging time and was far from the only player to suffer as the Red Devils appeared to jump from one project to another.

AWB’s move to East London should provide him with some stability. He’s joining a club with a clear vision, under a manager in Julen Lopetegui who has outlined precisely how and where he expects the defender to play.

The right-back is approaching his prime, and I suspect he may become something of a folk hero at the London Stadium. We love a committed, wholehearted player, and Wan-Bissaka certainly fits that mould. He’ll be keen to prove a point when he returns to Selhurst Park today, and if he puts in a man-of-the-match performance, it will be the Eagles fans who are least surprised.