West Ham future still open for top midfielder
Much has been made of Flynn Downes’ comments about his time on loan at Southampton. The Hammers’ midfielder has been highly complimentary about the South Coast club, but people should think twice before reading too much into the player’s comments.
Downes says that he has enjoyed his time at Southampton, and he revealed he would be keen to return to the club next season, although he admitted he is unsure where his long-term future lies.
Asked by local media how much he would like to remain at St Mary’s, Downes said: “Of course. I love it down here. I love the gaffer. I love the staff. I love this place. Obviously, we will have to see what happens. I won’t know too much until I go back to West Ham. We will see what happens there.”
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The midfielder has starred for Southampton since arriving on loan in August, but his expressed desire to stay should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Downes is a West Ham fan, and his time at the club was tarnished by his experience working under David Moyes, who clearly didn’t favor the former Ipswich midfielder. However, given a few training sessions under Julen Lopetegui, Flynn could well find that his outlook on West Ham switches quickly.
Downes appears to possess many of the qualities typically associated with a Lopetegui team, and the club informed C&H last week that he is expected to join Hammers pre-season training. There could yet be a future at West Ham for a player who has clearly benefited from an excellent loan spell.
It’s clear for all to see that Downes is a level above the Championship, and he’s still young enough to keep improving. The club is well-stocked in midfield with Freddie Potts and Lewis Orford expected to break through within the next 24 months. However, I’ve not given up on Flynn as a West Ham player just yet, and I’m certainly not swayed by what he said to a local South Coast newspaper. He was polite, courteous, and complimentary, and I’d expect nothing less from a young man with excellent character. But he’s still a Hammer at heart.
