Much gets discussed and re-discussed in West Ham near soap opera transfer sagas but the switch of Said Benrahma probably beats all.
The rumours and counter rumours was relentless as the various media outlets told their tales – thankfully on this occasion we got it mostly right.
The final twist would have done credit to a decent Hollywood movie and shows that all things are possible in football where happy endings aren’t always the order of the day.
West Ham boss David Moyes is understood not to have been fully sold on the player and that he finally arrived as down to a late change of heart whilst Josh King remained more than an outside bet for the gig.
That the 25-year-old Algerian playmaker had problems with blood tests was a late drama which is unchallenged and should NOT BE!
It led to a restructured deal which includes an obligation to buy as long as certain criteria are met.
We are in a position now where the likelihood is that he will be included in the squad for the Manchester City game next weekend.
King was always a realistic option in Moyes’ mind and remained so but finally, he came down in favour of Benrahma given the various options he provides.
Having moved on Felipe Anderson, and with Lanzini so far out of form, it looks a decision which should be welcomed as the former Bees star provides some much-needed creativity.
Moyes may be a manager whose creed is “if you don’t run you don’t play” but like all teams, the sort of creativity provided by a Benrahma at his best is key to success.
We would not expect him to start every game with options such as an in form Arthur Masuaku and increasingly influential Pablo Fornals available.
However, Benrahma has the ability to help such as Seb Haller with slide rule passes and excellent crossing ability beyond his dribbling skills. These are the assets which helped to swing Moyes’ decision.
Conversations between the manager and board continued to a late-stage before Moyes – came down firmly that the club should invest in the four years younger midfield playmaker.
It’s a decision which gives him more options than would have been provided by King and it was worth the wait – although we could have done without the late drama.
All’s well that ends well. (so wrote the Stratford Bard)
COYI
West Ham social media is an absolute joke for conspiracy theories now. One outlet makes up some rubbish and they all repeat it like parrots until them and half their followers actually believe it. Of course Moyes wanted Benrahma. He fits the criteria that he asked for. He told Sullivan this time out that he wanted the best young, most promising players from the championship and that’s what Sullivan went and got him. He also wanted Ollie watkins and eboneze eze and I guess we couldn’t afford them all but what it shows is a complete turn around in transfer policy under Moyes. Yes he doesn’t mind bringing in an older experienced player like Dawson purely for fourth or Fith choice cover (probably based on Stuart pearces recommendation) but overall he wants to change us into a young hungry hard working, creative team that defends well and attacks well, and that’s what’s happening. If anyone can’t see the difference between West Ham under pellegrini and West Ham under Moyes then I worry for them.
With the finances that we have and on top of those widely known facts, which were proudly broadcast…negotiations were always going to be difficult with any club who we wished to do business with.
But for ALL of the right reasons the right decision was made. Great players seem to have plenty of time on the ball and SaÏd is one of those special creative players like Berkovic and Benayoun. He is cold and calculated on the ball and I would gladly put money on it, that his purchase is NOT a gamble in any way shape or form and why we weren’t challenged for his signature I’ll never know.
I’m not sure of the facts, because as far as I know, they are simply rumour and speculation, but as the guy who said we have too many wingers at the club and sold Grady, he then went out and purchased another “winger” in SaÏd. Short term, King would’ve made sense, but long term and financially SaÏd is by FAR the better deal.
Has Sully managed to score a winner in injury time???
King got six premiership goals last year with three from pens
I’m not sure why King was such a target?
Happy enough but we still seem very light at LB
It doesn’t matter whether the story is challenged or not but I can’t help thinking based on a good percentage of our deals that there is a lack of professionalism in the way GSB conduct their business, which is made worse by their PR disasters. Moyes is clearly trying to change the identity with the public but he is not being assisted by GSB who seem determined to make a crisis out of the most minor of dramas.
I’m hoping it’s the case that DM wanted him all along and Sullivan backed him for once. We don’t know the truth rumour counter rumours. Who cares we have got a very good player IMO and I hope he rips it up in PL good luck to him . I think he brings something different and has a little bit of Payet and Mharez a mix . If he’s as good as those 2 have been we have scored a winner , so let’s enjoy & see what he can do . Let’s keep the good form going we would all love to beat Spurs COYI ⚒
Agree with lack of professionalism in the way Sullivan does transfer business!
If Moyes does not want Benrahama it will soon show in his selection, but let’s hope the speculation is wrong or Hammers Sullivan & Moyes combination is a disaster?
King does not score enough goals from open play, whereas Benarhama scores many more goals & makes many more assists. So, no contest Benarhama for me a much better prospect.
The game is played over 90+ minutes and not the 30 second highlight reels.
He is a Hammer now so am supportive. Benrahammer?
The geeza is an absolute baller