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Crystal Palace Flop I Panic Buy Or Striker Solution

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Without raking over old ground or mentioning the ‘D’ word again (He’s Colombian, prolific, plays for Aston Villa and West Ham should have signed him when they had the chance this summer), it is clear that something needs to be done to reshape the Irons front line.  West Ham rely on ageing, injury prone or ineffective front men with a combined age of nearly one hundred.

Niclas Fullkrug’s current situation is far from clear: A long gradual rehab awaits the German in any case. He won’t be hitting the ground running for 90 minutes any time soon – if ever for West Ham, having been an impact substitute for club and country in recent years.

So when reports all over the weekend like us with Alexander Sorloth – currently out of favour with Atletico Madrid, that has to be seen as a good thing – doesn’t it?  According to one report West Ham actually scouted the Norwegian during his international against Slovenia.

Sorloth only arrived at Madrid in the Summer for £27 million but has ‘struggled’ apparently. This is the same Alexander Sorloth who spent a year at Crystal Palace in 2019-19, had 16 appearances and scored. Once. In the League Cup.

He then became something of a journeyman through Gent, Trabzonspor, RB Leipzig and Real Sociedad on a series of loans before having one good season at Villarreal which led to Atletico signing him.

Is he really the solution to West Ham’s striker situation or just another knee jerk reaction, the club grabbing at someone who looks like he’d fit a traditional striker role at 28 years old and 6’4”. If Steidten and Lopetegui really see him as the future at West Ham then that implies an awful lot of long ball football.

Isn’t there a lesson in bringing in ‘overseas’ strikers? How many are prolific in lesser leagues but just can’t cut it in the Premier League – that is exactly why Harry Kane read the writing on the wall and left for the Bundesliga.

Maybe that’s why my instinct is to say- regarding Sorloth -who I’m sure is a very nice man – ‘he’s not the answer’ – as a Hammers fan I hope we have more ambition.

However if Steidten and Lopetegui decide he’s the guy to graft in as our Fullkrug alternative then I see no reason to be too downhearted. I’ll put aside my own aspirations to see West Ham linked with someone young, pacy and exciting to watch: Better the Sorloth initiative than doing nothing and relying another six months on Antonio’s ability to play even an hour a week.

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From the old Bobby Moore Upper to the Billy Bonds' stand these days I've been watching since '03 and a supporter since about 1970.. 'Football is Life' oh yes. Let it raise your spirit but never darken your mood. Life's too short not to enjoy the journey with our Claret and Blue heroes n' villains.

3 comments

  • rollercoaster hammer says:

    how much will he cost and is it worth it for what can only be a stop-gap signing? we will still have to find that “pearl” come next summer window. if he turns out to be a the “pearl” then great. but at 29, i doubt it. lottery is right imo

  • Andy Stone says:

    By the time the January window opens he’ll be 29 and we know what comes after that. Apart from 30 it’s no sell on value and of course he’ll be a Premier League player so on an appropriate outrageously large salary. This equals no other club being interested unless they’re January desperate, a play that won’t want to fall off of the back of the gravy train and frustrated/annoyed fans.
    Hey Pearl Diver, lost your wetsuit?

  • David Pope says:

    The truth is that unless we are able to get/afford a proven, top striker in the region of at least €70M then for lesser fees it becomes a case of horses for courses. They may work out..they may not. Might be the missing part from our jigsaw…might be a piece from the wrong picture.
    But if all you are prepared to go for are aging playes who had moments of success at some clubs ( but not others ) then it’s a lottery.

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