The young West Ham United right-back has barely got a look-in this season.
When West Ham United signed Sam Byram from Leeds United it looked like a canny piece of business from the Hammers, with the then-22-year-old impressing at Elland Road, racking up 143 appearances for the Championship club.
But much like other youngsters who have swapped Leeds for pastures new, Byram has struggled for game time at the London Stadium, featuring only 28 times to date and facing a major battle to overhaul Pablo Zabaleta in the starting line-up.
In truth the Argentine is going nowhere, with the free signing West Ham’s standout performer so far this season, so what would be the best option for Byram with chances unlikely if he remains where he is?
Sending Byram out on loan in January would be a risky call for West Ham, knowing that if Zabaleta was unavailable they would suddenly be stuck for a ready-made replacement.
But on the flip side, if the 24-year-old remains in London without sufficient playing time, both his form and his confidence will take a knock.
At this stage of his career Byram should be playing week in, week out, and yet Zabaleta has slotted seamlessly into Slaven Bilic’s side and is going nowhere any time soon.
Remaining where he is and learning from the experienced full-back is one option for Byram, with West Ham then potentially being able to transition from one to the other in a year or two. Yet that is a very long time in football and a temporary stint elsewhere may be the best the youngster can hope for, if Bilic is willing to take that risk.
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