Former Premier League poacher Darren Bent believes Danny Ings will prove to be a ‘really good signing’ for West Ham United while admitting on talkSPORT (19 January, 4.10pm) that he was surprised to see Wolves and Southampton steer clear.
Ings has only started eight league games so far this season. But the England international still scored almost as many goals for Aston Villa (six) as Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca have mustered between them so far in 2022/23 (seven).
Ings never really lived up to his £30 million price-tag at Villa Park but, as Unai Emery was keen to point out after he rescued a draw against Wolves, the one-time Liverpool poacher can always be relied upon to find the back of the net when the opportunity presents itself.
And, with so many Premier League clubs crying out for a natural-born finisher, Bent is surprised that West Ham found themselves with a relatively clear run at their new £12 million acquisition.
West Ham United seal £12m Danny Ings deal with Aston Villa
“It’s a really good signing,” says Bent. You look at the teams at the bottom of the table; Southampton, they haven’t got anyone who scores goals. Che Adams does a lot of work but no.
“Everton, they need a goalscorer. Bournemouth have got (Dominic) Solanke and Kieffer Moore but neither have really set it alight. Wolves, we know they can’t score any goals. I’m quite surprised other teams at the bottom of the table didn’t opt for him.
“I think, for West Ham, (Ings is) a really good signing. Give him opportunities and he will score goals. (The fans should be) delighted because, I know he’s had a couple of down years, but in the 2019/20 season, he got 22, got himself in the England squad, and he was as prolific as anything for Southampton.”
In defence of Frank Lampard and director Kevin Thelwell, Everton did enquire about Ings’ availability earlier in the month, only to be informed that Aston Villa were unwilling to consider loan bids (Mail). The cash-strapped Toffees are relying upon short-term deals this month; Lampard and Thelwell paying the price for their predecessor’s heavy spending.
Southampton, meanwhile, are prioritising promising, up-and-coming talent with re-sale value; top target Nicolas Jackson almost a decade younger than their former talisman.
‘A fantastic finisher’
“I always think, with someone like Danny Ings, all you need to do is supply him with the chances and he will score goals,” Bent adds. “He’s a fantastic finisher with both feet. Maybe he’s not as mobile as (former Aston Villa team-mate) Ollie Watkins. But Ollie Watkins can’t finish like Danny Ings
“Jarrod Bowen has got two league goals this season. Antonio, he hasn’t really (scored) either. They’ve got someone now who will take his chances.”
Ings could now make his West Ham debut against Everton in Saturday’s proverbial six-pointer.
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