Said Benrahma deserved something to show for his efforts during West Ham United’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground earlier this month.
This was the Benrahma of Brentford; All skill and style, panache and finesse. One of his finest displays in West Ham colours. A performance that reminds you why the Hammers were willing to invest up to £30 million in a player who, when arriving at the London Stadium two years ago, was arguably the most feared attacker anywhere in the Football League.
But as Benrahma’s wicked, curling free-kick clattered off the bar and bounced away to safety, it quickly became apparent that it was going to be ‘one of those days’.
Could West Ham replace Said Benrahma?
One week later, the West Ham players were trudging off after yet another defeat, a chorus of boos serenading a 2-0 home loss to Brighton and Hove Albion. And if the home support had been hoping that Benrahma would pick up where he left off against Forest – and following that dazzling assist against Viborg on Thursday night – they’d have been mightily disappointed.
In fact, Football London’s assessment of the 27-year-old Algeria international, following West Ham’s third defeat in three, summed it up quite succinctly.
“The Hammers’ best outfield player against Forest and assisting the Irons’ third goal minutes after coming off the bench against Viborg, a second straight league start will have undoubtedly given Said Benrahma confidence going into the game,” they write.
“(But it was) quite the drop off from his last two outings; 5/10.”
West Ham United want Lazaro from Flamengo
On Saturday, Fabrizio Romano reported that West Ham had submitted a £6 million bid for Flamengo winger Lazaro; A claim backed up by Jorge Nicola, one of the most respected football journalists in South America.
Lazaro, a 20-year-old Brazil youth star, is a right-footed left-winger. A tricky and unpredictable wideman who loves to drift in from the flanks; Leaving opposition defenders dazed and confused with a burst of acceleration or a silky stepover.
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
According to The Guardian, David Moyes could sell Benrahma to raise further funds for new arrivals. Whether a couple of magical moments against Forest and Viborg have changed the Scot’s mind remains to be seen. That hugely disappointing performance against Brighton summed up his West Ham career to an extend; A wonderfully gifted footballer who promises so much but frequently delivers little.
And with Lazaro now a target, the former Brentford talisman cannot afford many more performances like Sunday’s if he is to quell Moyes’ concerns.
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