West Ham are supposedly interested in moving for Dutch full-back Daryl Janmaat of Newcastle. Who would he compete with for a starting spot?
Daryl Janmaat
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham United have registered their interest in signing newly-relegated Newcastle United right-back Daryl Janmaat, 27, for a fee that could stretch to upwards of £10 million.
Janmaat has hinted that he is open to a return to the Premier League, but would he nail down a starting spot at West Ham?
Let’s compare Janmaat to his competition.
Daryl Janmaat
Newcastle’s Daryl Janmaat in action with Fulham’s Floyd Ayite
If Janmaat were to sign for the Irons, he’d be gunning for a first team berth at right-back. He has two years of Premier League experience to his name, more than any other player that West Ham have brought in so far this summer. Despite Newcastle’s struggles in the last two years, Janmaat has been one of their most consistent performers in defence and has looked assured in the top flight.
At 27, he still has time on his side, and if he impresses in this season then he could become a starting right-back for West Ham for as long as the next five or so years. Industrious, quick, and strong in the tackle, Newcastle won’t want to lose him, but Janmaat could perhaps become the Hammers’ premier right-back if he signs before the transfer window closes in nine days.
Sam Byram
West Ham’s Sam Byram
Potentially the biggest deciding factor in how much action Janmaat sees in his time at West Ham is the rate of development of young 22 year-old right back Sam Byram.
Signed from Leeds last January, Byram has already impressed in the Premier League, but is he consistent enough to warrant regular football on the right side of defence this year, especially if the club do manage to bring in Janmaat? Byram is a player that West Ham have high expectations for, and his start has been encouraging, but the Englishman clearly hasn’t convinced Slaven Bilic completely yet.
Michail Antonio
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring at the weekend
The fact that Byram is yet to fully convince Bilic has meant that winger Michail Antonio has had to slot into the West Ham defence on occasion over the last half a season. An explosive footballer, it’s almost certain that the majority of Irons fans would prefer to see Antonio deployed further up the pitch where he can create goals for the team. However, he has also shown some capable performances at right-back, and it’s an option that the manager seems to favour. Perhaps the addition of Janmaat could allow Antonio to foray further up the pitch?
Reece Burke
West Ham’s Reece Burke
Maybe Burke might not be a player that challenges for a starting spot at right-back this term, but in Reece Burke West Ham have a 19 year-old defender who is tipped to become a key player for the club in future years. This coming season will most likely be spent on loan for Burke, but if the player performs well in the Championship then a battle for Premier League football could be on the cards in 2017/18.
Burke is primarily a centre-back, but has been played on the right in the past and could be bedded in to the Hammers’ line-up in that position where perhaps there is less pressure than playing at the heart of a top flight defence. Reece Burke probably isn’t the biggest threat to Janmaat for his starting place immediately, but expect this young man to break through pretty soon.
West Ham have plenty of options already in the right-back position, but perhaps none of the alternatives are as complete defenders as the Dutch international Daryl Janmaat. Simply put, he’s probably too good a player for the Championship, and justifies the price tag of around ten million pounds. He’ll have some competition for a starting place, but Janmaat could prove a very astute signing for West Ham over the coming years.
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