As reports grow suggesting West Ham will be back in the market place for another striker this winter, names are thrown into the ether as suitable ‘targets’ and one in particular is the subject of a report today which, in the face of it, looks like good business.
There’s a massive catch however and West Ham will surely steer well clear after their experiences of blowing £27 million on a crocked Niclas Fullkrug who then spent a season and a half on the sick list.
The signs were there had anyone at West Ham bothered to cast their eye over Fullkrug’s injury record before they signed him.
Hence when EFL specialist web site the72.co.uk repeats the suggestion that ‘West Ham should look at Leeds United’s Mateo Joseph ‘ there’s a very loud warning bell ringing.
Mateo Joseph – likely a long road ahead to regain match fitness
On the face of it the forward who can play as an out-and-out striker or a right winger – could be useful as a Bowen back up – seems a decent shout but one look at his injury record should see West Ham run ing for cover. Joseph is still recovering from a huge ACL injury suffered whilst on loan at La Liga side Mallorca last season.
Which makes him a non-starter for me. And hopefully Nils Koppen will have the Niclas Fullkrug story at the front of his mind as cautionary tale to ensure West Ham don’t keep on making the same mistakes with crocked strikers.