As yesterdays’ Claret and Hugh article highlighted, the last 10 months has seen an exodus of some nineteen players from West Ham United’s first team squad as the board sought to shave millions off the wage bill and allow Nuno to create his younger, more ‘balanced’ (ahem – ‘smaller’) squad.
Several players left on loan and may yet ‘boomerang’ back: Nobody can be looking forward to the return of Maxi Cornet, Nuclas Fullkrug or James Ward Prowse whilst perhaps opinions are still divided over Edson Alvarez’s possible value to the Irons’ cause next season.
Few would have argued with the permanent sale of Guido Rodriguez. Seen as too slow and immobile for the Premier League, he hasn’t been missed one jot as Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa have both stepped up. However it seems, as reported by sportwitness.co.uk, Guido has already raised eyebrows with his new club:
“Now, in Spain, the midfielder is rebuilding his authority and rhythm at Valencia CF….
…Local newspaper AS describe him as already “showing his stripes” after a commanding display against Osasuna. The tone elsewhere is even clearer. COPE’s [another news source] headline simply reads: “How good that you came, Guido!
Rodriguez has found himself a niche – and good luck to him!
Against Osasuna, he completed 44 passes and recorded 74 total interventions. He won three tackles and recovered seven balls. In addition, he attempted three dribbles and two shots: Authority on and off the ball since West Ham arrival”
Good that Guido has found himself a niche: Whatever else, he always tried his heart out.
It does emphasis the difference in pace and quality between the Premier League – where he struggled – and the Spanish top tier ‘La Liga’, seeing as Rodriguez was a founder member of West Ham’s ‘slow stodgy’ porous midfield that was so criticised under first Lopetegui and then Graham Potter.