(Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
Saïd Benrahma pushed his claims for a Hammers start at the weekend with an encouraging international appearance for Algeria yesterday (Mon).
The new Hammers signing helped ease his nation into qualification for the the Africa Cup of Nations when responsible for an assist which saw Riyad Mahrez’s score in the 2-2 Group H qualifying draw in Zimbabwe.
Mahrez’s take down was quite extraordinary before he turned and fired home but Benrahma’s vision and beautiful pass was a big part of the goal’s orchestration.
The goal put Algeria 2–0 up in Harare but Benrahma was in good shape throughout a sixth appearance in his nation’s shirt.
Now he will be hoping his performance, and that as sub in the last game against Fulham, will be enough to give him a place in the starting line up for the match at Sheffield United this weekend.
The Hammers are very well off for options on that side of the pitch with Arthur Masuaku set to be fit and Manu Lanzini looking to force his way back into the side.
But Benrahma has probably shown enough now to believe that he has every chance of getting his first start in claret and blue.