Well, West Ham United supporters cannot say that David Moyes didn’t do what they asked.
With Tomas Soucek’s form stuck in nosedive, Hammers prayers were answered during last week’s Premier League clash with London rivals Brentford. Lucas Paqueta, the big-money summer signing from Lyon, was introduced in Soucek’s place alongside Declan Rice; the Brazilian belatedly offered a chance in a deeper, playmaking role similar to the one he thrived in during the Qatar World Cup.
It didn’t work. Nothing does at West Ham anymore, it seems. Paqueta was little more than a frustrated spectator as Brentford secured a smash-and-grab 2-0 win at the London Stadium; his disappointing display in a withdrawn role no better than anything Soucek has produced.
Fortunately, if West Ham are willing to splash further cash in order to solve what is starting to feel like a problem position, Ellyes Skhiri may be tempted by the prospect of a fresh start and a new challenge in claret and blue.
Can Ellyes Skhiri replace Tomas Soucek at West Ham United?
Skhiri, a 52-time Tunisia international, is a 6ft 1ins midfield powerhouse in the Soucek mould. He’s a fierce tackler, a reliable distributor and a goal threat too, particularly at set-pieces. More pertinently, he’s keen to leave his Bundesliga employers after three-and-a-half years at FC Koln.
“The clear message is that that he wants to go in a different direction,” Effzeh coach Steffen Baumgart told the Kolner Express last week.
“(Skhiri) has a clear sporting plan in mind, which he feels he cannot implement here. The door is always open, of course. But it doesn’t look likely (that he will stay).”
According to BILD, West Ham held talks with Skhiri’s agent during the summer of 2021; the former Montpellier enforcer handing in a transfer request at the time. 18 months on, his value sits somewhere in the region of £14 million.
Will West Ham be tempted to renew their interest? With their Premier League status far from certain after a miserable start to the current campaign, Skhiri’s wanderlust may provide an opportunity West Ham cannot afford to let pass them by; neither Soucek nor Paqueta providing an adequate solution to a growing problem.
David Moyes’ West Ham may be in a relegation battle
“I would wait until the end of the season (to decide on Moyes’ future),” Arsenal legend Perry Groves said after West Ham’s Boxing Day defeat to the Gunners (talkSPORT).
“I think he’s got enough in the bank. They came sixth, seventh, and got a great run in the Conference League. So the frustration is with the amount of money (Moyes spent). I think they spent £150m in the summer transfer window.”
“On Monday, when I saw Soucek and (Vladimir) Coufal, they looked like someone like they’re running on quicksand. They look nowhere influential as what they were when they first came into the side.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
