There was certainly an easy connection to draw when West Ham United’s big-money flop finally sealed a move away from the Premier League outfit on the final few days of the summer transfer window.
Of the 15 most expensive signings made by the Hammers, how many can realistically be considered a success? Mohammed Kudus, probably, despite a poor second season and the contentious nature of his departure.
Lucas Paqueta, certainly. Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma, two Conference League champions, will always have a special place in the hearts of West Ham United fans too. Crysencio Summerville is belatedly living up to his own price-tag after putting those injury issues behind him.
Nayef Aguerd, though, joins Sebastien Haller, Nikola Vlasic, Gianluca Scamacca and Felipe Anderson in a host of expensive acquisitions who, for whatever reason, just didn’t work out.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui explained Aguerd’s West Ham struggles last week. He put them down to a combination of early fitness issues and the harsh, unforgiving nature of the Premier League. The 2022 World Cup semi-finalist certainly looks better suited to French football.
And Medhi Benatia, the Marseille sporting director who played alongside Aguerd on the international stage, has watched on with pride as his compatriot maintains his flying start to life back across the Channel.
But, as he tells Le10 Sport, the decision to bring former Dijon and Rennes defender Aguerd to Marseille was not purely down to Benatia. Head coach Roberto de Zerbi, when hearing that the 29-year-old was available, demanded his bosses move heaven and earth to get a deal done.
Medhi Benatia explains why Marseille signed Nayef Aguerd from West Ham United
West Ham banked £17.5 million when Marseille completed the signing of Aguerd on the final day of the transfer window.
And while the feeling at the time was that the Hammers had pulled off a remarkable bit of business – recouping 20 million euros for a defender who struggled badly during his time in England – Aguerd is doing a much better job of living up to his latest big-money transfer fee, certainly more so than he did in East London.
“It’s not just thanks to me that he’s here,” Benatia tells Le10 Sport. “The truth is, it’s the coach who wanted him!
“In the United States, when [De Zerbi] saw him, he said; ‘We’re stopping everything. I want Nayef Aguerd!’
Benatia, the former Roma and Bayern Munich colossus, also explained why it took until September 1st for Aguerd to arrive at the Stade Velodrome.
“There were negotiations [with West Ham],” Benatia adds. “That’s why we did it very late, even though we’d been after him for a long time. He gives us great security at the back, he’s international level, he speaks all languages.
“He gives us a lot of calm, especially with the ball. He’s fast, has a good reading of the game. We’re really strong with all the players we have at the back. That’s also what we were looking for during this transfer window.”
Aguerd praises Roberto de Zerbi for making Ligue 1 return easier
While former West Ham teammate Emerson Palmieri needed little convincing to follow the Moroccan across the Channel, Aguerd has made an ‘incredible’ start to Marseille life.
Aguerd scored an early decider against PSG as Marseille ended their 14-year wait for a home victory against their ‘Clasique’ rivals.
And while he is not popping up as the most unexpected of matchwinners, Aguerd has been massive presence at the heart of an L’OM backline which has conceded only one goal in the five matches in which he has featured.
“Frankly, it’s linked to the coach’s style of play, all the credit goes to him,” Aguerd says, praising the former Brighton and Hove Albion coach. “[De Zerbi’s] philosophy suits me. I like to play high up the pitch, press, and dominate the game.
“That’s also why I came. Around me, there are experienced players, like [Leonardo] Balerdi and [Benjamin] Pavard. It’s easier to integrate when you play with such quality.
“I would also like to thank the club, because they helped me adapt a lot. The players, the coach, Medhi, whom I have known for a long time, all made my integration easier.”
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