Maxi Gomez’s early La Liga form shows Pellegrini should have pushed harder for him

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West Ham spent extensively during the summer, but Manuel Pellegrini did not manage to land a big-money striker.

One reported target was Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez. The Evening Standard reported on August 1 that the Hammers failed in a £27m bid for the hitman as the Spanish outfit were holding out for £35m.

While West Ham are languishing at the bottom of the table, Gomez has enjoyed a flying start to the season. We’ve taken a look at what West Ham missed out on.

How’s he getting on?

After scoring 18 La Liga goals last season, Gomez has started this campaign on fire as well. He’s found the net in two of Celta’s opening three matches, bagging in wins against Levante and Europa League holders Atletico Madrid.

In both of those victories, he also laid on his side’s other goal. That shows he is more than just a mere poacher; he is a player who can bring team-mates into play.

Still just 22, Gomez looks as if he is only going to get better.

How could he have helped West Ham?

The Hammers have been goal-shy so far this season. Marko Arnautovic is the only player who has found the net in the league, and the Austrian has looked increasingly isolated.

Javier Hernandez has been unable to offer suitable support and new-boy Lucas Perez has barely featured. An on-form striker like Gomez could have transformed Pellegrini’s attack and galvanised the fanbase.

Arnautovic may be needed out wide in coming weeks, as Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko take time to settle. Gomez would have been a strong option through the middle, and could have formed a formidable partnership with the former Stoke man.