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Biggest Gambles, Biggest Gains

asheshammer's picture
Submitted by asheshammer on Wed, 07/06/2017 - 23:56

I'm on record as saying the Hammers should spend big to get Iheanacho and/or Batsuayi this Summer. But such a move would cost them. Meanwhile you see reports of the sort that say, West Ham should sign "Goal-Scoring Beast" Steve Mounie from Montpelier for £13M, instead of Batsuayi. That's small change in the current market, in which a defender like Southampton's Virgil Van Dijk is valued at £50M. But interestingly, Van Dijk himself was signed for £13M. And looking back over a host of players who now command ginormous transfer fees, it seems clear that the best VALUE to be had in the transfer market is in the £10M-£20M range. Of course these transfers are generally a bigger gamble than paying out big on a proven commodity, but when they work out, it is the best value for a club. This makes me understand better the temptation that SUGO have to look for bargain deals, but is it worth the gamble?

Are we looking to make money or looking for proven quality? Surely as 15th richest club in the world we should be looking to establish ourselves as such in playing terms. The kinda players you mention ashes are ok IF we have an established squad already. So for me it's proven quality only this season. So Sullivan needs to put up and walk the walk. I'd be happy even with only 2 more signings if they are top quality, and upfront I don't expect to compete with Chelsea for players but we should always be in for the level just below.

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If we buy that Nigerian who is supposed to rock up tomorrow, I think you will get your answer on that one ashes. Like I say 15 th richest club in the world and yet we are taking another punt on a 19 year old Nigerian for 7 million when we are desperate for 2 top class strikers with proven quality. You can't make it up can you. Don't think they will ever change, it goes against their principles. Their plan is champions league by luck rather than good planning. This guy is this seasons Jonathan calleri, only younger. Fingers crossed he turns out better. But demanding to play and leading the line alone at 19. Can't see that working. Definition of insanity is doing the same things and expecting different outcomes. If we don't get proven quality this season and upfront they will be proven small time and not worthy of running a club as big as West Ham.

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asheshammer's picture

then again, Calleri didn't demand to start. What if Carroll is fit? Do you start Carroll or Onyekuru? I don't even have to think twice about answering that question. And Onyekuru is completely unproven -- you can't say he'll be a "20 goal striker" or even, with any confidence, that he'll get 10. (Calleri had one, I think?) I can't see any reason to bring this guy in with any such promises as he wants. Sure -- if he's being sought as backup, he might prove useful, or not. £7.5M is small change these days. But for goodness sake, get someone who has PROVEN goal-scoring ability. I had some doubts about Defoe, but surely he'd have been less of a gamble.

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hammer1980's picture

It is true that gossip and speculations are on the agenda at this time. Onyekuru is a bet is young and there is also the risk of "burning" if it is immediately charged with responsibility. If they want to take it for a future investment ok, but you have to take an attacker from at least 15 goals per season as they had promised at the time, we're still waiting

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asheshammer's picture

Don't mind Onyekuru coming as a punt -- if it worked out, all the better for us -- but we need that striker who will be a sure thing. Fifteen goals -- is that too much to ask? It's hard to remember the last time we had someone score that many for us in the premier league in one season. Harewood had 14 in 2005-06, but you have to go to DiCanio in 1999-2000 to get 15 or better, and I believe that's all competitions. Source sports mole http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/west-ham-united/1999-00/top-scorers... and you can select seasons to compare. Makes for dim reading. Carlton Cole doesn't come off too badly, relatively speaking!

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But this is the thing Ahses, I think people think it's FIFA17. Who is that "sure thing" that "15 goal a season player? If they're doing that in the Prem their clubs won't let them go. Costa is one but he'll chase the yen, Defoe another but he's getting on now and so is it a sure thing. Look at all the Agueros, Costas, Lukakus, they alla had to start somewhere. I'd prefer to let a new player at least kick a ball for us before I write him off, he just might be the next gem.

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