Forget Callum Wilson because Callum Marshall can give West Ham something money can’t buy with a major decision looming large.
There is a massive difference of opinion among West Ham fans, owners and manager Graham Potter over the club’s striker situation.
While most Hammers supporters love Niclas Fullkrug, they feel the team needs more than the ageing, injury-prone German forward can offer.
Even Potter himself made it clear he sees Fullkrug as an impact sub for West Ham, after dropping him for a 2-0 win at Man United towards the end of last season.
Fullkrug has impressed the Hammers by dropping three kilos over the summer break.
But it was not lost on fans watching the pre-season win over Grasshoppers that Fullkrug lacks the pace and mobility most feel is needed in the Premier League.
West Ham a club divided over striker situation
Fullkrug will be more effective coming on as a substitute against tired defenders where he can use his bravery and strength to better effect.
It was telling that young forward Callum Marshall, who impressed on loan at Huddersfield last season, did more in a few minutes than Fullkrug in the entire first half of that 3-1 win – not least scoring a superb goal.
There has been heavy focus on West Ham’s striker situation since that game.
Danny Ings and Evan Ferguson have left the club – although neither really featured under Potter so they are no major loss.
Michail Antonio’s future remains up in the air as does the judge’s gavel on whether the Hammers favourite can return to top level football after a quadruple leg break and at the age of 35.
Less than two weeks ago West Ham’s hierarchy stated they “hope to sign one or two strikers” this summer.
With the full-back positions finally sorted after years of neglect, the Hammers are now focusing on transfer activity in goal and further up the pitch.
But West Ham changed their stance on strikers in light of Fullkrug’s improved physical condition.
Hammers News was told Potter “doesn’t think West Ham need an expensive striker”.
The goalposts moved again when leading Hammers insider Sean Whetstone – a close confidant of majority owner David Sullivan – claimed Potter had gone one further and told the board he now doesn’t think the Hammers need to sign any new strikers.
That news did not go down well with supporters, who have reacted furiously on social media and fan groups.
Forget Callum Wilson, Callum Marshall showed something money can’t buy for West Ham
Then came the major Hammers News exclusive on Tuesday that West Ham expect to sign free agent forward Callum Wilson.
Having left Newcastle, Callum Wilson is on the market.
Wilson turns 34 next season, has a history of injury problems and has previously rubbed Hammers fans up the wrong way. Not least because he has relished scoring more goals against West Ham than any other team in his career.
So fan reaction to that news has been vociferous so say the least. Even if many cynical fans had long since predicted this day might come.
But forget Callum Wilson because it is Callum Marshall who showed something money can’t buy for West Ham ahead of their big call.
The Northern Irishman’s display against Grasshoppers could force the Hammers to rethink the club’s striker strategy.
Make no mistake, there will be a huge step up for Marshall going from playing for Huddersfield to playing for West Ham United in front of 62,500 people.
There will also be a mammoth step up from Grasshoppers to the Premier League.
So nobody should be getting carried away by Marshall scoring in pre-season.
What shouldn’t be happening now, though, is yet another loan spell away from east London.
There comes a point – and an age – where it is sink or swim in the Premier League.
Marshall turns 21 next season, nearly 13 years Wilson’s junior.
While West Ham’s bogeyman former England forward brings bags of experience and a proven track record, Marshall brings something vital that this Hammers team is sorely lacking.
The boy can clearly finish and he is quick across the ground too.
Speedy finisher Marshall has fire in his belly to be a Hammers hit
But Marshall has that burning hunger in his stomach to be a success at West Ham.
You can see it written all over his face. It is clear for all to see in every action he makes.
It’s aggressive, he’s closing people down, harrying defenders, being a nuisance and being direct.
There are shades of Craig Bellamy about Marshall – for all the right reasons.
The easy thing to do would be send Marshall out on loan to a Championship side for the season and sign someone like Wilson for a season or two instead.
Potter needs to relent, wake up and smell the coffee that West Ham must sign a younger, pacy forward to be the number one starter.
Fullkrug is the experienced back-up.
But Marshall has showed he can and should be West Ham’s third choice striker next season in that half against Grasshoppers.
No other forward West Ham will sign will have the same youthful exuberance and fire in his belly as Marshall.
Potter can’t go wrong having him in the first team squad as third choice.
And by the end of the season, he might even be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
West Ham now have a big decision to make over two Callums.
If this really is a brave new West Ham built around young, exciting, emerging talent then there’s only one option.
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