Moyes Goes For A(nother)Brazilian!

No, the Hammers manager hasn't gone for some Pubic restyling while he is away with his managerial cronies on their Footie 'observational' Jolly, he is currently 'lapping it up' with 'Den' Haag, Ancelloti and ironically the manager the club might look to replace Moyes with, Tomas Tuchel.

In his absence, Rob Newman has quietly been getting things done as can be seen by the arrival of Luizao for his medical ahead of his pre-signed three-and-a-half year deal transfer from Sao Paulo, the talented 20-year-old central defender was pursued by Benfica, Sporting, Porto, Fulham, Wolves, Juventus and the Red Bull group, however he chose The Queen Elizabeth Stadium as his destination.

The fact that Luizao chose West Ham ahead of all the other clubs is testimony as to how effectively Newman can operate when given a clear path, in fact Luizao is not the only Sao Paulo player West Ham United hope to sign in the January transfer window. Exploratory talks have also been held with the Brazilian giants over a deal for midfielder Pablo Maia, who is also 20, although The Irons and Sao Paulo are yet to agree the structure of any potential move with Hammers preferring a loan to buy deal and Sao Paulo wanting a straight cash deal as they are currently going through a bit of a fiscal crisis.

Luizao's deal is still subject to a work permit approval, however there is apparently not an issue involved there, IF Hammers can tie up a deal for Pablo Maia as well it can be viewed as an excellent bit of business to bring in such highly rated players at such a young age. Moyes 'having another Brazilian' does pose one question though, if he is unwilling to give many of Hammers youth team a first team try out due to the results driven constraints of the Premier League, how on earth will he be able to integrate not one but two more young players into the team?

It is believed that Moyes has more confidence in young players coming from South America being able to be integrated into the first team than domestic youth because the players "have to grow up much quicker" due to the fact they are NOT molly coddled by clubs and have to 'fight much harder from an early age to make it to the professional ranks.

Moyes has his critics, as do all managers and perhaps he does deserve more time to turn things round, but he had better be prepared for a bumpy ride when the season restarts... a nice away game live on Amazon Prime against Arsenal who of course are managed by his old captain and confident, the grinning Hyeana Arteta!