West Ham United snapped up Patrice Evra on Wednesday.
Pundit Craig Bellamy has told Sky Sports’ The Debate that he thinks Patrice Evra simply isn’t the same player anymore after completing his move to West Ham United.
West Ham ended the January transfer window with two new signings, having landed playmaker Joao Mario and striker Jordan Hugill, but that hasn’t stopped David Moyes from making another addition.
The transfer window may be closed, but clubs can still sign free agents, and West Ham have done just that by bringing in defender Patrice Evra to boost Moyes’ options at the back.
With Arthur Masuaku suspended and Aaron Cresswell featuring in something of a different role under Moyes, the West Ham boss clearly felt he needed another left back, and has now reunited with Moyes.
Evra, 36, spent more than eight years with Manchester United, winning five Premier League titles and one Champions League crown, whilst he also worked with Moyes at Old Trafford.
The Frenchman has been a free agent since his Marseille contract was cancelled back in November, and he has now made his return by penning a six-month deal with West Ham.
Evra provides depth and experience to the West Ham squad, but former Hammers ace and current pundit Craig Bellamy has criticised the deal whilst speaking to Sky Sports’ The Debate.
Bellamy suggested that Evra has really faded in recent years, stating that his last season with Juventus was ‘really poor’, and feels that West Ham won’t get much out of Evra.
“He hasn’t been the same player in the past four or five years,” said Bellamy. “His last year at Juventus was really poor, and he isn’t the same player he was when he worked [under Moyes] four years ago.”
“Age catches up with you, and he’s in that position. It’s a great move for him and his experience will be great for a club like West Ham, but I don’t believe they’re going to get much out of him playing-wise,” he added.
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