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West Ham should consider Riccardo Orsolini over Bertrand Traore

Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
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West Ham have been linked with a move for Olympique Lyon’s Bertrand Traore but Manuel Pellegrini’s side could do a lot better.

L-R West Ham United's Jack Wilshere and West Ham United's Pablo Fornals

Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham have gone big while being sensible so far this summer with the mega-money signings of Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt and Pablo Fornals from La Liga side Villarreal.

The Hammers now have a solid team as they go into the new season aiming to qualify for Europe and under Pellegrini’s tutelage, they could well achieve it.

TEAMTalk reported late last month that the Irons were keen on a loan move for Lyon’s Bertrand Traore but with how good their attack already is, the move never made any sense. Andriy Yarmolenko, who should be available after a disappointing injury lay-off last season, is worthy of starting every week on the right-wing

Robert Snodgrass will provide decent cover for the Ukrainian, while Michail Antonio and Grady Diangana can fill in there when needed. If anything, West Ham should look at an up and coming young winger who will be able to take over from Yarmolenko when he moves on and Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini would be brilliant.

The youngster was a joy to watch in Italy last season where he scored 10 goals and provided six assists last season. Orsolini possesses good pace, brilliant dribbling skills along with a jackhammer of a left foot that he uses to brilliant effect from distance.

Riccardo Orsolini of Italy controls the ball during the 2019 UEFA U-21 Group A match between Italy and Poland at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on June 19, 2019 in Bologna, Italy.

The Italian would work very well under Pellegrini in ways similar to how Felipe Anderson has become a star on the left flank. Orsolini will need time to settle in and playing as an understudy to a player like Yarmolenko will help him be ready to take over from the former Dortmund man in the very near future.

Orsolini, who is yet to fully establish himself at the top level, will be considerably cheaper than a first-team starter for a top club like Traore. The Italian’s performances have also shown that he could potentially be better than Traore in the coming years and he would be a much better investment for West Ham in this summer window.

Riccardo Orsolini of  Bologna FC celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Bologna FC at Stadio Olimpico on May 20, 2019 in Rome, Italy.