Everton can consider themselves fortunate to be beaten to Sam Byram’s signature by West Ham.
West Ham’s Sam Byram
It is just over a year since Sam Byram quit Leeds United for a Premier League move, but his dream switch to West Ham is yet to work out.
Prior to his transfer Byram was struggling to establish himself in the Leeds XI, and he has fared little better at West Ham.
On Monday night against Chelsea, Slaven Bilic decided to play midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate out of position at right-back instead, a damning verdict on the youngster who has been selected to only start five games all season.
All of which should make Everton feel pretty good about being ‘beaten’ by West Ham to Byram’s signature.
SkySports reported last January that the Toffees were in advanced talks with Byram over a move, with then manager Roberto Martinez keen on a deal.
West Ham ended up luring the youngster instead, with Byram seizing the chance to return to the city in which he was born.
He faces an uphill challenge to establish himself at the Hammers, with Bilic previously preferring to select Michail Antonio at right-back ahead of him.
The position is a problem one for West Ham, and even with the spot up for grabs, Byram has been unable to win it.
Everton meanwhile have shown they did not need him all along.
Seamus Coleman is playing better than ever and at 28-years-old has plenty of football left in him.
There is little chance Byram would have been able to dislodge him, and Everton should feel fortunate to have saved themselves the expense on his signature.
Better than ever…Everton’s Seamus Coleman
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