Roberto Martinez has confirmed Lacina Traore has suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury and is out for a while. West Ham must be pleased they didn’t sign him now.
Some managers got the January transfer window spot on, Steve Bruce take a bow, others got it wrong – Arsene Wenger we are looking at you.
But Roberto Martinez also has much to answer to.
Everton made just one move of note in the winter window – strengthening their striking options with a switch for Ivorian striker Lacina Traore of AS Monaco.
The giant striker had only just joined the French club from Anzhi Makhachkala – but they decided to send him out on loan until the end of the season.
And Everton got him after sneaking up on West Ham.
The Hammers did a medical, got a work permit, did all the nitty gritty to tie up a deal and then Traore hop-footed it to Goodison off the cuff – it was a move that left Sam Allardyce seething.
So we will allow Big Sam a Cheshire Cat grin this week – after Everton boss Roberto Martinez stated this to the official website:
“It is going to take a long period of time, which at this stage of the season will be a big miss. It will be weeks rather than months. It’s a really disappointing outcome. He was ready and had been working really hard since he arrived at the club. It is a soft tissue injury in the hamstring very similar to a previous injury he had.”
Traore arrived at the club carrying a hamstring injury – so it was a surprise to see wither Premier League side showing considered interest in him.
Traore made a recovery – and went on to score against Swansea City in the FA Cup. But in the warm-up before the Chelsea game last weekend he tweaked it again – and fans won’t see him in action until the end of March.
Last January Everton pulled the plug on a deal to sign Leroy Fer over medical concerns. That decision was considered nanny-like by many – and over cautious.
This time round they took a risk and it has not paid off.
Meanwhile Big Sam will be happy counting the money he saved on what is looking like a dud deal.
image: © Ailura
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