I do wonder if West Ham, and in particular Julen Lopetegui, are being a little too rigid in their quest for two players for every position.
It’s an admirable ambition and a vital one for teams competing in European competition. The benefits of a large playing staff are clear, especially following a season where David Moyes managed the smallest squad in the Premier League.
Nonetheless, at what point does policy supersede quality? While it would be ideal to have double cover in every position, surely the backup must be of similar quality to the starter?
This was precisely my point with Mats Hummels, who has very recent pedigree and is a world-class defender. In many respects, he is so good that there was potential for him to keep Jean-Clair Todibo out of the team. Essentially, his transfer would have not only ticked the box of having two players per position but also improved the squad.
On the flip side, the potential signing of John Egan would fulfil the numbers requirement but certainly wouldn’t elevate the overall squad quality.
For example, a combination of Max Kilman and Edson Alvarez in central defence with Rodriguez in midfield is preferable to Egan in the backline.
Therefore, I’m somewhat unsure what emergency scenario would warrant his inclusion. Of course, the reality is he likely won’t play. There’s no way Lopetegui would field him in the EFL Cup against Liverpool, and he clearly can’t be used in the Premier League.
The only reason I can see for his transfer is this self-imposed notion that West Ham must have two players for every position.
However, with Mavropanos, Kilman, Todibo, Alvarez, Casey, Cresswell, and Luizão all capable of outperforming Egan, I just don’t see the need.
I don’t believe that Casey or Luizao are of better quality than Egan, and I doubt Cresswell is as a pure centre back either.
Mavropanos, Kilman, Todibo and Alvarez all definitely are though and that’s what I’d run with until the Winter window in preference to signing Egan.
Oh for goodness sake this is the 7th article in 2 days on Egan! I know it’s the international break but do C&H really need to just repeat the same information over and over again?
Careful Essex, you’ll get a snippy remark for that.
Totally agree. Another unnecessary inflation of the wage bill whilst a further hurdle in the way of any youngster looking to breakthrough into the squad. Hummels I get, Matip on a two year deal…same as argument against Egan – not a sufficient improvement on what we have, especially if harbouring an injury.
Not so sure Luizao, Casey or even Cresswell for that matter would be better quality than Egan.
Egan is not the most glamorous of names to be linked to West Ham, but neither was Craig Dawson and he ended up being better than what we had!
Other than cover I don’t see what Egan brings. I agree with John’s comment above that Egan probably is better than Casey now but Casey may improve quickly given some time on the pitch. Preferably I’d like to see him get the odd 20 minutes in fixtures that are safe to do so in case injuries later on require him to play any extensive time. That to me makes sense.
To be honest, if you knew what you were talking about you’d be a coach. As it is you just write meaningless opinion pieces to drive clicks and massage your own ego.
More click-bait twaddle. Every day you talk more and more rubbish. You haven’t got a scoobie. Who do you think you are telling Jlo how to do his job when all you do is sit behind a screen and make sh*t up? Be quiet, please.
Well Egan was good enough to play against Liverpool literally four months ago and he’s good enough to play for Ireland. Like many keep saying I wouldn’t write him off. He could be the new Craig Dawson.
Shut up whinging for gods sake
John Egan is a decent player, has been for years. He could outperform all the players on that list, or maybe he won’t. Who knows? Not you, not me or anyone else.
If he signs, just support the team and give it a rest for gods sake
We all know this site has become sh@@, meaningless bull@@@ constantly posted, some of it pasted and copied from elsewhere most of it has no substance, obviously this geezer has an ego issue but is, absolutely clueless but let’s not attempt to make him look stupid as he is doing a fine job of it by himself. I think it’s time this site was shut down
comments like ‘ I think it’s time this site was shut down’ just make you look stupid tbh. Fortunately or otherwise, you don’t get to decide what ‘gets shut down’.