West Ham have made another signing this summer, adding Enner Valencia to their squad. The striker was one of Ecuador’s best performers at the World Cup, scoring all three of his national side’s goals.
Sam Allardyce came in for a lot of criticism last season due to his style of play, and the West Ham boss has been pressured into improving on the quality of football at Upton Park next season.
But the transfers made by the club thus far have been promising, with Mauro Zarate having already been signed to improve the team’s fortunes in attack. The capture of Valencia is another step in the right direction.
With the team in need of further additions, here’s a look at six players who could follow Valencia to West Ham.
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Ashley Young
Ashley Young is rumoured to be on am Allardyce’s wish list this summer, with the Manchester United winger taking on a lot of criticism for much of his time at Old Trafford and possibly in need of a change.
West Ham would present a good move for Young, who needs a move away from the spotlight in order to regain the form he showed at Aston Villa. With plenty of attacking options at United, it’s unlikely he’ll see a lot of game time under van Gaal.
Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha doesn’t appear to have a future at Manchester United, even with new manager Louis van Gaal on board. A permanent move away may be best for the former Crystal Palace winger.
But West Ham are said to be interested in bringing the youngster back to London, and if his Palace form is anything to go by, the club could be onto something with Zaha, who has already collected an England cap.
Zaha would undoubtedly see regular games at Upton Park, and though it is certainly a step down from where he is at Manchester United, a move like this is the best step for a player in Zaha’s situation.
Jack Rodwell
Jack Rodwell has had a torrid time since moving to the Etihad, playing little to no part in the club’s title win last season and failing to build on the form he showed while at Goodison Park. The only answer this summer is to seek a move away in order to get regular games under his belt.
At West Ham, Sam Allardyce may be the perfect manager to help Rodwell regain his confidence A reinvigorated Rodwell would do a lot of good at Upton Park, able to provide plenty of drive and creativyt from the midfield.
Rodwell’s career is far from over, and if he can rediscover the form that garnered so much attention while he was at Everton, he’ll be a key player in Sam Allardyce’s team.
Micah Richards
Micah Richards is a target for Liverpool this summer, but West Ham would do equally well to land the Manchester City centre-back.
There’s a good player in the versatile defender, who has suffered from the constant high spend of the owners at Manchester City. But a move to London could see Richards kick start his career, possibly even earning a place in future England squads. The priority for now, however, is to move on from the last few seasons and get his career back on track.
Kostas Mitroglou
Kostas Mitroglou may end up staying at Fulham this summer, but the Greece international is undoubtedly better than the Championship.
West Ham were said to be interested in January and may be an option for the 26-year-old, who has barely featured for Fulham since making the switch to the Premier League. Continued into the summer, he offered very little with Greece at the World Cup.
But if his scoring form with Olympiakos is anything to go by, he’d be a good signing for Sam Allardyce this summer, with the need for regular games having been his major problem of late.
Lewis Holtby
A lot was expected of Lewis Holtby upon his arrival at Tottenham from Schalke, but the 23-year-old failed to nail down a regular place before heading to Fulham on loan.
It appears Tottenham will go with what they have in the way of midfield options for next season, but even then, Holtby is surplus to requirements and may need a move away.
Holtby show a lot of promise while in Germany, and for a team like West Ham who are said to be after creative midfielders, Holtby would be the ideal addition.
