Should West Ham United consider a move for Everton-linked Roma star?
The future of Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman continues to be the subject of intense speculation, with Everton being linked with a January move for the Holland international as a long term replacement for Gareth Barry (the Mirror).
The 26-year-old is a classy midfield operator, and possesses the perfect combination of an imposing physical presence along with fantastic technical ability when in possession of the football.
The defensive midfielder has been in superb form for Roma this season, bouncing back well from a succession of serious injuries.
Kevin Strootman in action for Holland
West Ham are a team in need of an injection of freshness in their midfield, with a succession of laboured displays from the likes of Mark Noble partly to blame for their poor run of results, and the Hammers should consider challenging the Toffees for Strootman’s signature – if the club’s owners are ambitious as they claim to be.
Although Noble remains a fan favourite, he will be 30-years-old at the end of this season, and for someone who plies his trade in the middle of the park, he is fastly approaching an age when the legs begin to go.
Although West Ham’s need for a striker and another defender is undeniable, they must not neglect their need for a younger, fresher central midfielder, before they allow their current crop to grow old together.
Strootman would be the ideal signing to help banish the memories of the Hammers under-whelming summer transfer window activity, where the owners promised much, but delivered little.
Simone Zaza has been an undisputed flop for the Hammers so far this season
Their desperate swoop for Simone Zaza towards transfer deadline day was symptomatic of their performance from a player recruitment perspective over the summer.
Many Hammers fans feel as though they have had the wool pulled over their eyes by club’s hierarchy, and there is a sense that the season tickets at the Olympic Stadium were sold under false pretences.
Sullivan and Gold need to start putting their money where their mouth is, and the addition of Stootman would be the perfect place to start.
Kevin Strootman in action for Roma
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