Christian Benteke could be off the Hammers striker list following grim news on his injury front.
For according to well respected freelance injury data analyst @BenDinnery, he could miss the rest of the season which will put all interest firm;y on hold throughout the summer.
Dinnery – who has a great record for getting things right – claims on Twtter that “Benteke will struggle to play again this season after damaging his lateral collateral ligament. The #LFC striker will miss at least a month.”
The Hammers have made no secret of their admiration of the Belgian with even David Sullivan admitting the fact but the club are determined to find player who stays relatively injury free.
The Andy Carroll problems and interruptions to Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia’s season has sharpened their focus and at the likely Benteke asking price of £20-£25 million, we could now look elsewhere.
Sullivan has admitted the Hammers have around a dozen target but Benteke’s latest injury blow will almost certainly see him slip down the pecking order.
Would love to see Lacazette and Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi come in. Lacazette is an out and out goalscorer whilst Berardi could give us another magician alongside Payet and Lanzini. Whilst Payet is a joy to watch, the stats for games without him are worrying and so it would be good to have another capable deputy in Berardi. Would be happy to see Tore come in as well as Billic’s compatriot Sime Vrsaljko – who can play left and right back – and then focus on youth.
Been delighted by Burke, Cullen and Samuelson, but I’m torn between bringing them into the first team slowly over the course of the season and letting them have one more year on loan, ideally with a championship side, to get 40+ more games under their belt.
The Portuguese lad, Rafa Silva, also looks a great talent and I’d love him to join Martinez. Leed’s Lewis Cook also looks promising with 70 Championship games experience, but midfield isn’t exactly an area we are short of talent!
Young ones for the foreseeable future bubs , there chance will come I’m shore , I fancy the boy batshuayi ! If asked , but I’m sure Bilic will have it his way ! And sully will do what he can. No panic buys are needed , were good !!!
He was about 10th on mine,
The thing the 2 Daves are good at is working out value for money,no more listening to false gods like
Hippo and his agent
Still think they will come up with someone not even mentioned yet,
I just hope we give Samulsun,Oxford,Callum a chance before we waste money,
They are good enough just need the chance
Bubs the voice of reason again. I’ve been banging on for some time to get the youngsters on the pitch.Yes the economics of going with youth makes sense. Klopp is getting his youngsters experience and so should West Ham.
He wasn’t on my list.
Batshuayi, Lacazette and keep looking.