West Ham fans have been given yet another reason to adore one of their former favourites after a revealing insight about Soungoutou Magassa emerged.
Hammers supporters had already been seriously impressed by £17m summer signing Soungoutou Magassa.
But his monstrous man of the match display and goal in West Ham’s draw at Man United in midweek took that to a whole new level.
Excitement around Magassa in east London is now palpable.
The Hammers signed Magassa at the same time as they brought in Mateus Fernandes in a higher profile £40m deal from Southampton.
New West Ham star Magassa announces himself to the Premier League in some style
Supporters were excited by the Frenchman’s initial cameos in the claret and blue.
But fans were then left puzzled by Nuno Espirito Santo’s decision to rather harshly drop the France Under 21 star in his initial games at the Hammers helm.
Magassa was one of West Ham’s better players in encouraging performances at Everton and Arsenal as he started Nuno’s first two games in charge.
However, the all-action midfielder was dropped for damaging defeats to Brentford and Leeds, much to the bemusement of most supporters.
That had many believing Nuno did not rate Magassa, despite the fact Nottingham Forest were rivalling West Ham for his signature when he was still in charge at the City Ground over the summer.
Nuno responded to the theory he doesn’t rate Magassa by insisting he had a bright future as a key player for the Hammers.
Now we are starting to see why.
Magassa was everywhere in the 1-1 draw at Man United. And he was in just the right place to slot home West Ham’s equaliser for a fully deserved draw late on.
The Frenchman has been the talk of West Ham since with Gary Neville labelling him an ‘absolute destroyer’.
Well now West Ham fans will love one of their former stars even more after a big Magassa revelation.
They say once a Hammer, always a Hammer.
Fans will love Kehrer even more after Magassa revelation
Now Thilo Kehrer has proven that to be true once again after a new revelation that strengthens the bond between the former West Ham defender and the club’s fans who really took to him — even long after his departure.
Hindsight is of course a wonderful thing, but there is no hiding the fact West Ham probably gave up on versatile Germany international Kehrer far too soon.
He has been brilliant since leaving east London for Monaco.
Meanwhile, West Ham have endured persistent problems at the back ever since his departure.
Kehrer established himself as an important utility player for West Ham on their way to Europa Conference League glory.
His attitude, application and leadership meant he was a big hit with supporters. But the way he led West Ham’s celebrations during the trophy parade made him something of a cult hero.
When his game time became limited, Kehrer was allowed to leave.
It looks like a mistake now but in the end it actually paid off massively when it comes to Magassa.
West Ham picked Magassa up from Monaco for just £17m – cheap by modern transfer standards.
Since he arrived at the London Stadium, Magassa has been trying to improve his English with team-mates Alphonse Areola, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Jean-Clair Todibo helping the 22-year-old settle.
Given the quality being shown by Magassa on the pitch, it begs the question how the Hammers were able to land him – and for such a low fee.
Kehrer was key in Magassa choosing to join West Ham
Well now we know.
Magassa had plenty of other options.
But The Athletic’s West Ham reporter Roshane Thomas has revealed the midfielder spoke to ex-West Ham defender Kehrer in the summer when he was informed of the club’s interest.
“Kehrer provided a glowing reference, which helped influence his decision,” Thomas revealed.
As if West Ham fans didn’t love Kehrer enough already, now they have another reason.
Perhaps the stars aligned for West Ham by letting Kehrer leave for Monaco.
He has done West Ham a great service as their inside man on the Magassa deal.
And if his trajectory continues the way it has started, he could be worth treble the amount West Ham paid in the near future.
Not that West Ham fans will want to see him sold anytime soon of course.
Credit must also go to West Ham scout Max Hahn, who reportedly identified Magassa as a signing West Ham needed in midfield.
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