Ukraine manager Alexander Petrakov has indicated that Andriy Yarmolenko may be looking to leave Premier League high-flyers West Ham United in the January transfer window, speaking to iSport.
The seldom-seen winger could have no complaints after being left on the bench once again as Chelsea became the latest victims of David Moyes’ Champions League-chasing Hammers side on Saturday afternoon.
Yarmolenko didn’t get off the bench at the London Stadium. Again.
And this is unlikely to change any time soon.
Especially after another left-footed right winger ripped into a Chelsea defence that, until that 12 mile trip across the capital, had not conceded more than twice in a league game since May.
The electrifying Jarrod Bowen set up one and scored another as West Ham breached Thomas Tuchel’s previously watertight hull on three separate occasions.
And with Bowen in the form of his life, Yarmolenko may be disappointed if he is hoping to add to his measly tally of 52 Premier League minutes this season.
Is Andriy Yarmolenko ever going to start a Premier League game again?
“The coach (Moyes) does not play him,” bemoaned Petrakov. “Andriy is a very serious person.
“When I asked him for the first time why he didn’t play for his club, he told me that there was a window coming up and that he asked to play for the U23s.”
Does this mean Yarmolenko, who is understood to be frustrated with his role at West Ham, is looking to build up his fitness by playing with the reserves ahead of a potential January departure?
“A person with such experience is not shy and goes to play with the youngsters,” Petrakov adds. “I can’t call Moyes and ask why Andrei isn’t playing.
“It’s none of my business. I can’t interfere in club affairs.”
Petrakov did claim that Yarmolenko will feature in West Ham’s Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday.
The former Dortmund ace has been linked with a move to Genoa, now coached by Petrakov’s predecessor Andriy Shevchenko.
Shevchenko ruled a January swoop last week though his agent did admit that there has been ‘a lot of interest’ from elsewhere.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
