Obviously there will be many twists and turns in the hugely inflated transfer market this summer, but forwards seem to always be the recurring theme, and the forwards at West Ham United are no exception. On the face of it Hammers are fairly well catered for with Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia all competing for the lone striker role that is part of Slaven Billic's normal team line up, however beneath the surface there are serious causes for concern. Out of the three aforementioned players only Andy Carroll is currently both physically and mentally fit, now who would have thought that given the Big Man's dreadful previous injury record? Of course fans will always be expecting the worst from Carroll with regards to him staying fit and not getting injured, but the enforced painfully slow rehabilitation overseen by the club's medical staff since his last series of injuries may have finally managed to help the player turn the corner, and if so all the past will be quickly forgotten, and in today's crazy market his wages and transfer fee don't appear to be excessive at all! Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho make up the other part of the attacking 'trident', but both have issues, Valencia is clearly out of his depth with the physicality of the Barclays Premier League whereas Diafra Sakho has had well documented personal issues as well as a poor succession of injuries, so neither currently inspire much confidence. Indeed it is highly unlikely that both Valencia and Sakho will be running out at the Olympic (soon to be The Mahindra) Stadium at the start of the season, 'Daffy" is sought after by Sam Allardyce's Sunderland and has not travelled with the rest of the squad to The USA, ostensibly because of a stomach bug, but that looks a bit smoke and mirrors. Enner on the other hand, is being courted by Lazio, however the Italian outfit want to take the Ecuadorian on a season's loan with a view to a permanent £10 Million transfer after one year. Whilst most people associated with the club see a transfer as best for all parties, West Ham are unwilling to do a loan deal and will only make a deal for a permanent transfer valuing Valencia at the £12 Million that the club originally paid for him. Rest assured the club will do everything in it's power to bring in the new 'marquee' striker signing that they have promised and are now virtually duty bound to deliver, therefore it is inevitable that Valencia will be moved on, and again with the market being as inflated as it is the club will be hoping to receive substantially more than they paid for him, it should not be forgotten that Chelsea once made a huge tentative bid for the player when a certain Jose Mourinho was in charge. There is speculation that the 'special' one might re-ignite his interest in Valencia, if so he would probably get the best out of him, but as it is another one of Mr Sullivan's South Americans bites the dust! - Ed
More on Diafra Sakho in the next article ……………..
