West Ham United boss David Moyes chose to defend Jarrod Bowen but criticise Said Benrahma, when speaking to reporters yesterday, as quoted by the Evening Standard.
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The Scot hasn’t stopped criticising Benrahma since he moved to the London Stadium from Brentford in October.
Who knows, perhaps the Hammers boss thinks that is the best way to get the most out of the Algeria international.
We think the reason has far more ominous undertones, however.
Moyes told the Evening Standard yesterday:
“First of all he has got to stop hitting them over the bar. He’s got to start getting them under the crossbar. That is the job. We bought him with goals and assists in mind. He has just got to stay steady, he has been taking on shots which aren’t at the right moment or time to do so, I think he just needs to calm down a bit and let it come to him rather than going and looking for it so much.”
The Scot’s comments on Bowen, however, could not have been more different:
“The reason we got Jarrod was because he scored 15 goals a season at Hull and we thought we could get some of that for us. He’s found that tougher in recent games, the last month or two. We’re not trying to put too much pressure on him because he’s done well for us. Without him and Tomas I don’t think we would have got over the line last season. They’ve been inspirational to us.”
It couldn’t be any more clear that Moyes is blinded by his love for Jarrod Bowen.
The former Hull City ace has been awful over the past six weeks. In fact, it could be argued that the 24-year-old has been far more wasteful in possession than Benny.
David Moyes didn’t want to sign Said Benrahma
It was common knowledge that the West Ham boss wanted to sign Josh King rather than Benrahma in the summer.
Claret & Hugh reported back in the summer that the Scot actually didn’t want to sign the 25-year-old winger but instead wanted the 29-year-old centre-forward.
Since the Algerian joined West Ham from Brentford, he has continually received criticism from David Moyes due to his supposed poor ball retention and decision making.
Benrahma has been one of our best players over the past few months, however. That’s a fact.
He is a real match winner and he makes us tick. The 25-year-old’s ability to keep hold of the ball when West Ham are under the cosh is so important to us.
Sure, he will give the ball away sometimes. But he’s a maverick. Benrahma is a player who will try more risky passes or attempt more risky shots from outside the box.
Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne is a great example of this.
If Benrahma is to succeed at West Ham, Moyes needs to drop his agenda against him. If the Scot isn’t careful, he will end up coaching the magic right out of the Algerian.
A goal would do Benrahma the world of good. The longer the wait goes on, the more desperate and frantic his play in and around the penalty box will become.
Let’s just hope it comes this weekend at Old Trafford. The Algerian deserves it, that’s for sure.
And when Benrahma does eventually find the back of the net, maybe then Moyes will shower him with the praise he so rightly deserves.
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