The midfielder-turned-pundit believes the Hammers have pulled off a shrewd bit of business.
Former midfielder Danny Murphy has written for the London Evening Standard that West Ham United have pulled off “a very clever piece of business” by signing Robert Snodgrass.
The Hammers paid around £10 million to bring the 29-year-old to the London Stadium after an impressive first half of the season for struggling Hull City, in which he recorded nine goals and three assists in 24 games.
The man who has played for Leeds United, Norwich City and Hull across his career since leaving his native Scotland for England in 2008 is now at the most established Premier League club of his career to date.
Murphy believes he can thrive at the London Stadium, and suggested that if he had not have struggled with injury earlier in his career, he would have found himself playing for “a top club” instead of alternating between the Championship and the top flight.
Murphy wrote in the Standard: “If Robert Snodgrass had enjoyed better luck with injuries, he might have joined one of the top clubs earlier in his career. As it is, he has done very well to get back to his current level and his signing represents a very clever piece of business by West Ham.
“Too many [players] do not contribute enough to their sides – but Snodgrass certainly does. He had seven goals and three assists in the league this season for Hull, a struggling side.”
Murphy then wen ton to discuss what he thinks is Snodgrass’ best position, and suggested that he could be utilised on either flank or as a number 10, such is the versatility of his talents.
The former England man wrote: “He is such a good crosser that you could conceivably use him wide on the left to deliver balls for Andy Carroll, but perhaps he is best in the No.10 position.
“If you play Snodgrass there, you can have two midfield players protecting him, because he is not the most athletic player, and move Manuel Lanzini to the left.
“Another option would be to play him off the right and let him drift inside, ensuring he had an energetic full-back to support him. The key with Snodgrass is to get him around the box, shooting, playing one-twos. If West Ham do that, he will repay them with more goals and more assists.”
Snodgrass made his Irons debut as a second-half substitute in the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night.
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