West Ham majority owner David Sullivan will be wishing he hadn’t turned on the television when he sees what a star has done now.
This week is somewhat sobering for West Ham.
For the first time in four seasons the Hammers can only sit and watch as their Premier League rivals embark on European adventures.
This time last year West Ham were gearing up to play the opening game of their third European campaign in as many seasons.
The Irons loved and embraced every moment of their European runs.
Last season took them to the Europa League quarter-finals where they were edged out by Bayer Leverkusen.
There was a buzz around the club with European matches breaking up midweeks.
It was a special few years for West Ham.
Julen Lopetegui’s task is to get the Hammers back there this season.
The club’s owners David Sullivan and Daniel Kretinsky have certainly backed the Spaniard to do just that.
Sullivan will break out in a cold sweat over star
The board gave technical director Tim Steidten and their new head coach £155m to spend on nine new signings.
West Ham also kept their key players too.
It was widely regarded as the one of the club’s best ever windows.
But many fans feel one key area was not properly addressed.
And West Ham chief Sullivan will break out in a cold sweat after seeing what star has done now.
One of West Ham’s big summer signings was £23.5m veteran striker Niclas Fullkrug.
The Hammers simply had to go out and get a top forward in the summer. The German became striker signing number 53 since Sullivan arrived in east London in 2010.
Far too many of those have been flops or spent most of their time injured.
And those who have been a success haven’t stuck around long enough.
Some fans have questioned the signing of Fullkrug given his age and lack of pace.
Those supporters wanted to see the club go out and get a younger, more dynamic striker.
Duran shows class again to leave Hammers pig sick
A striker like Aston Villa’s John Duran.
While West Ham continue to toil with 34-year-old Michail Antonio up front, Duran has been smashing it with Villa.
Every time Duran scores or shines – which is every game at the moment – West Ham fans can be heard asking the same question – ‘why didn’t we just pay the extra £5m’.
That of course refers to the alleged gap in valuation which saw West Ham ditch the move for Duran and turn their attentions to Fullkrug.
Duran smashed in yet another winner for Villa as he blasted home from nearly 30 yards out in a 3-2 victory over Everton at the weekend.
If that wasn’t enough to darken Sullivan’s mood then he’ll wish he never turned the TV on tonight.
Villa started their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win away at Young Boys.
And you guessed it Duran did it again, scoring a beautifully taken goal on the break.
The 20-year-old Colombian guided a wonderful first time finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Unfortunately for Duran the goal was actually somehow ruled out for handball earlier in the build-up.
But as TNT Sports said: “It may have been disallowed but what a goal this was.”
Duran is showcasing his full repertoire this season – including getting that winner against West Ham.
He is powerful, quick, skilful and a deadly finisher from close and long range.
The young forward has a shot like a traction engine.
It may be wise for West Ham’s owners to avoid watching any Villa games from here on in.
The thought of what might’ve been is simply too painful to bear.
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