Moyes’ Striker Curse Broken?
West Ham supporters can finally exhale a sigh of relief. The days of David Moyes and his seemingly endless quest for a decent striker appear to be over. Julen Lopetegui’s arrival as manager signifies a new era, and with it, a renewed focus on finding a reliable goalscorer.
Let’s not forget the Moyes era’s striker woes. Both Haller and Scamacca were brought in with high hopes, only to fizzle out spectacularly. Scamacca’s sale at a loss after a mere 10 months epitomises the frustration fans endured.
The success stories of strikers at other clubs similar to West Ham only amplifies Moyes’ shortcomings in the transfer market. It seemed good strikers were readily available, Moyes just couldn’t find them.
Staggered Payment for Bruno:
A clear shift in philosophy is evident under Lopetegui. He and Director of Football Tim Steidten have prioritised strengthening the attack, specifically the striking position.
Danny Ings’ struggles and subsequent availability for transfer further highlight the club’s desire for a long-term solution, not just a stop-gap option.
Reports linking West Ham with Youssef En-Nesyri, a player who thrived under Lopetegui at Sevilla, were an early indication of this new approach. Reuniting Lopetegui with a striker who knows his system seems like a sensible first step.
Thankfully, West Ham isn’t putting all their eggs in the En-Nesyri basket.
Give Me Sport’s Danny Rust has revealed a four-man shortlist, and each name is music to West Ham fans’ ears.
Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla): A proven goalscorer with a successful past under Lopetegui.
Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen): The reported top target, Boniface is a highly-rated young Nigerian attacker.
Serhou Guirassy (CSKA Moscow): Another African prospect, Guirassy brings a powerful presence to the attack.
Armando Broja (Chelsea): This promising Albanian forward, could be attainable if Chelsea budges on their price.
The quality on this shortlist is a stark contrast to recent striker signings. Any of these players would be a significant upgrade for West Ham’s attack.
Beyond the Starting Lineup:
The benefits extend beyond just adding goals. A quality striker signing could have a ripple effect on the entire attack.
Jarrod Bowen could finally return to his preferred wide position, while Mohammed Kudus could play centrally in his natural role.
Michail Antonio’s experience would be invaluable as a squad player, providing much-needed rotation options.
Compared to Moyes’ constant striker struggles, Lopetegui and Steidten have identified several high-calibre targets. Landing any of these strikers would be a major coup for West Ham and mark a new era for their attacking fortunes. The future finally looks bright for West Ham’s attack, and fans have Lopetegui to thank for it.
