West Ham United’s new summer signing Maxwel Cornet has told David Moyes where best to play him and it’s easy to see why.
Managers absolutely love a versatile player and West Ham boss Moyes is no different.
Indeed one of Moyes’ big priorities when looking at players this summer has been a level of versatility.
Being versatile can often work for and against the player concerned, though.
Yes it may mean the player gets more game time as they can play multiple positions when needed.
But by the same token the player in question may not be used in their preferred position.
One player who embodies the very definition of versatile is West Ham’s £17.5m summer signing Maxwel Cornet.
The Ivory Coast star can – and has – played left-back, left midfield, left wingback, left forward, centre-forward, second striker, right forward and and right midfield.
The former Burnley and Lyon star looks set to make his West Ham debut at Nottingham Forest this weekend.
There was talk Moyes could move to a back five and use Cornet as a left wingback.
And there have even been suggestions he will be used at left-back.
But what does Cornet think about it having joined the Hammers on a five-year deal last Friday?
Well West Ham summer signing Cornet has told Moyes where best to play him and it’s easy to see why.
Speaking to West Ham TV after joining the club, Cornet was asked where he sees himself playing for the Hammers.
The 25-year-old towed the party line by saying it was a decision for the manager. But he certainly didn’t hesitate when declaring where he thinks he is at his best.
“If I have a preference, just score goals,” Cornet told West Ham TV.
“Just score goals, just play on the front. For me it’s the position to score goals, so (that’s my preferred position).
“Depends on the manager now!” Cornet added before looking at the camera and saluting while saying “coach” with a smile.
One look at Cornet’s statistics suggest he has good reason for preferring an attacking role.
In 61 games as a left winger, Cornet has scored 22 goals and laid on nine assists. And in 54 games on the right wing, the number 14 has managed 19 goals and 10 assists.
At centre-forward Cornet has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 33 games.
In a solitary appearance as a second striker, Cornet has one goal. And in 40 games playing as a more orthodox left and right midfielder (24 left, 16 right) the new Hammer has scored seven and assisted five goals.
Even from left-back the pacy star contributes with two goals and four assists in 34 matches.
One would think Moyes and Cornet must have discussed where he would be playing when he was in talks to sign for West Ham.
A number of other clubs were linked with the new Hammer so Cornet must have been happy with Moyes’ vision for him in the side.
That would suggest an attacking role rather than a defensive one. As does Moyes’ decision to let Nikola Vlasic leave and listen to offers for Said Benrahma.
Not to mention transfer reports linking West Ham with moves to sign a top quality new left-back.
All should become clearer when Cornet hopefully makes his debut at Forest this weekend.
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