One of the positive aspects of Nuno Espírito Santo signing a contract to remain as West Ham Manager is that he knows the players and will be able to make ‘value’ judgements on who to retain and who to sell. Which cuts both ways (just ask James Ward Prowse) as he’s also had nine months to work out who he wants to discard if the opportunity arises in this ‘summer sell off’ transfer window.
From the limited game time which the Hammers’ boss gave Soungoutou Magassa, after an encouraging debut and goal at Old Trafford, it would seem that Nuno might have already made up his mind on the French youngster.
Magassa: Bundesliga may lure him on the second attempt.
It sounds as if there may be an opportunity for Nuno to ease Magassa out in the coming weeks, thanks to renewed interest from the side that almost bought him before he signed at London Stadium.
According to bulinews.net:
“Last summer, Eintracht Frankfurt showed interest in Soungoutou Magassa, but the French midfielder ultimately opted to join West Ham United instead.
Now, after a difficult first season in London, Eintracht are once again being linked with a move for the 22-year-old, with Bild reporting that he has been placed on the Bundesliga club’s shortlist.”
Sadly it seems those halcyon days when Hammers fans dreamed of a Potts – Magassa – Fernandes midfield have gone for good: With Fernandes’ transfer interest already heating up and now Magassa tipped to be Germany-bound it seems yet again West Ham’s midfield needs a hasty summer rejig.
The only positive is that with both Freddie Potts and Mohamadou Kanté breaking through into the first eleven last year, there must be hope that they can play a bigger part next season and save the club having to dip into its scarce cash resources for a whole new midfield.
You’ll never see the best from a player without them having a consistent run in the team. I have a feeling this kid is going to be a very good player for another club, with more minutes than he has had for us. If we weren’t fighting relegation all season maybe he would have got those minutes.
I guess this is one of the costs of relegation; some players leaving without a decent chance to show what the could have been for us. Still, Kante was clearly ahead of him in Nuno’s eyes and I suspect will play most games this coming season.
Still scratching my head about Magassa tbh. He needs to improve in so many areas if he wants to be relied upon in that role. Having recently witnessed one of the world’s best in midfield at a young age in Rice, Magassa really is light years off. Not consistent enough on the basics to be relied upon. He must have a very good agent. It’s weird how young players seem to now hold value without actually being developed. He’s 23 this year, So not really that young and really should be starting to look like the fully formed article if he’s to be a worthy starter.
If a decent offer comes I’d look at it. Otherwise I’d keep him merely simply to see how he does in the championship. However, if that fails we lose whatever profit is left in him.
I liked Magassa but don’t feel the Nuno system suits him, better for his career if he moves, the only reason to keep him is if Nuno sees him as the Fernandes successor which he hasn’t shown us in his first season.