When Are Players Worth A Punt?

With the transfer window about to open, all the pre opening hysteria can then make way for some real full blown bull! Hammers have been LINKED with a plethora of players, enough to replace the entire team three or four times over, so when the dust settles who will the club go for? There are 'set in stone' targets, but there are also players who are 'worth a punt' despite the risks associated with signing them, whether fitness, attitude or difficult clubs and agents to deal with.

The latest 'slight return' being mooted is former Chelsea ace Tammy Abraham, Roma are thought to value the striker, who has two years left on his contract, at between £17 Million-£21 Million and Abraham is thought to be keen on a return to England.

Once of interest to a multitude of clubs, Tammy suffered an ACL injury from which he has taken a long time to recover, but he has recovered however he is finding game time hard to come by in Italy, is he worth a punt?

Given the Irons atrocious record when it comes to signing injury prone players, then the answer has to be a definitive NO! But a fit and firing Abraham at around £20 Million could represent incredibly good value, especially when viewing Chelsea's valuation of Armando Broja who suffered a similar injury.

In football you generally get what you pay for and in Abraham's case the price being asked reflects the risk in signing him, but beggars cannot be choosers and in the real world West Ham come under the beggars category, so why not take a punt?

Another club like Villa will! - Ed

Comments

To be honest

One ACL injury hardly constitutes a player as "injury prone". That title should be reserved for players like Andy Carrol or even worse, Kieren Dyer. I liked Tammy Abraham when he was at Chelsea and I don't think Mourinho is a mug when signing players so, yeah, at that price I'd take a punt.
Not sure what type of man manager Loopy is but I also still think Deli Alli would be worth a look if given a cuddle and encouragement.

Big fat no for me

I'm sorry but we may ship out if we are lucky Zouma with his dodgy knees we do not need to recruit a front man not long recovered from a major injury,i am also guessing his wages would be high and right now we still have Ings with us on a silly amount of money so i am hoping this transfer does not arise.

Lookman

I think the lad had a one off dream final, all credit to him coming from lowly beginnings at Charlton etc but not for us. His stock value shot up so he wouldnt be cheap.

Prefer to hear of more "pearls" from the so called Pearl Diver!

With the Bubblegirl on this.

With the Bubblegirl on this. I've a feeling this window is going to be a shocker unless we can get a Kilman across the line early doors. Johnson allegedly signing a 5 year deal is an absolute disaster. The guy is a proven failure. I know it's only talk but the likes of Lookman & Abraham are not the way forward. Don't know nothing about Guilherme. With the years contract given to Cresswell means the left back situation will remain the same as last season. Also links with Burnley Centre halves & Sheff Utd keepers is not to inspiring.

With regard to Johnson, he

With regard to Johnson, he qualifies as a home grown player. I don't believe he is a full back. He's only played there because that's where Moyes put him.

Sure, he's come in for stick. I watched him up close and personal against Sheff Utd. He came on in midfield and changed the game for us. Yes the away faithful were surprised. They sang his name. I believe midfield is his position and El Loppo must have seen something. Give him a chance, if he bombs I'll hold my hands up. But I believe under El Loppo he'll start ahead of Soucek...

Taking a punt.

We should learn by many of our past mistakes of taking players that have a history of injuries or on the older side.The way forward is to have some more experienced players in various positions and blend some youth and young foreign recruits at reasonable prices and that have the desire and attitude to succeed try and clear the deadwood out that moyes has created zouma,ings,soucek,cornet,Auguerd,we need energy and speed in the midfield without that Lopi will have problems with his system.