West Ham United signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the summer, and Michael Owen has made a really bold call on the 26-year-old joining us.
In fairness to Michael Owen, he has hit the nail on the head with his take on West Ham bringing Aaron Wan-Bissaka to the London Stadium.
Julen Lopetegui managed to bring Wan-Bissaka to the Hammers for just £15 million, and the right-back admitted that he had spoken to the Spaniard before he even became head coach at the London Stadium.
Many West Ham fans were stunned that we managed to sign the pacy full-back for such a cheap fee.
Why were Man United so prepared to get rid of him? The word is that they believed they were getting a better player in the form of Noussair Mazraoui for a lower fee.
That will change if the Moroccan achieves certain targets at Old Trafford, and Man United have to pay agreed add-ons.
I still think we got the better deal by a long way. However, Lopetegui has to tweak a couple of things if we’re to get the best out of Wan-Bissaka.
Michael Owen questions West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka signing
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United striker quite often comes out with controversial opinions.
And whilst some fans may view his latest verdict as one of those, I actually think he’s spot on.
Owen has been discussing Lopetegui’s recent usage of Wan-Bissaka, as quoted by the Metro.
Owen said, “If you’re West Ham, if you’re the manager, the recruitment officer, whoever you are at West Ham, and you’re wanting a full-back to play in this, the last person you go and guy is Wan-Bissaka.“
“Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s brilliant, he’s probably the best right-back in terms of defensively in the country in the Premier League.“
“But if you’re going to ask somebody to get up wide and high and come inside and play central, I don’t know why you’d get Wan-Bissaka.“
“That’s not his game – his game is plugging the gaps, he’s not letting anything past, he’s a brilliant defender, he’s not brilliant going forward.“
As good as Wan-Bissaka is, Owen has a great point here.
Lopetegui must use Wan-Bissaka correctly
Wan-Bissaka is probably the best defensive right-back in the league, but he definitely doesn’t possess the technical ability to step into midfield as an inverted full-back.
And he’s far from comfortable when inside the final third either.
I’m delighted that Lopetegui brought the 26-year-old to the London Stadium, but the Spaniard needs to use him correctly, if we are to see the best of him.
The former Manchester United ace possesses blistering pace, and should be used as our biggest defence against quick counter attacks.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka undoubtedly will be a big hit at West Ham on one condition, and that’s Lopetegui realising that he’s not capable of playing in a more advanced, inverted role.
Hopefully the Hammers head coach realises that now.
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