Vlasic sparkles but Irons should still snatch Jesse

Nikola Vlasic was in great form at the weekend against Leeds.

He is clearly coming into his own at the London Stadium, the kind of player that manager David Moyes can genuinely rely on.

While he has yet to string together a run of starts, his form was rewarded recently with a goal in the 4-1 thumping of Watford.

He also laid on assists against both Spurs and Rapid Vienna, in the EFL Cup and the Europa League respectively.

Yesterday he was excellent in tight positions, always finding an out ball, however heavily marked he may have been.

However,  the Hammers continue to be linked with Jesse Lingard and he would genuinely improve the Hammers’ frontline.

He was a goalscoring sensation during his initial loan spell at the London Stadium.

And he would allow the Hammers to field a team on the same principles as Manchester City at the top end of the Premier League table.

Pep Guardiola’s side regularly line up without a striker, trusting their technically gifted attacking midfielders and wingers to get on the ball and interchange positions, while also fluidly retaining possession. It works. City are top of the league and 10 points clear of second-placed Chelsea.

Bringing Jesse back would allow the Hammers to play a similar way.

They already have Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma, Manus Lanzini  and Vlasic, along with Pablo Fornals; add Lingard into that mix, particularly if Mikey Antonio needs resting, and you’ve got a genuinely excellent mix of attributes and skills that can link up and dovetail.

Add Antonio up front and that’s a really potent cocktail.

Jesse needs to come back this month.