Not many clubs of West Ham United’s size sign a player for a fee totalling £30million and don’t use them.
Is Haller being mistreated by Moyes or does he simply have to toughen up?
But that’s exactly what West Ham are doing right now with Said Benrahma.
When West Ham were in the running to sign Benrahma from Brentford, insiders Claret & Hugh claimed he was a signing made by the owners.
Claret & Hugh said David Moyes preferred Josh King. But the owners gave him Benrahma – whose agent Will Salthouse is close with David Sullivan’s sons.
Moyes insisted Benrahma was HIS signing after insider claims to the contrary
The Algerian was signed on a season-long loan deal with a fee of £5million. It includes an obligation to buy for £25m pending a successful second medical at the end of the campaign.
Since arriving Moyes has insisted Benrahma was HIS choice and that he has final say on all transfers (Sky Sports).
Moyes also raved about Benrahma’s talents in the same Sky Sports interview.
But West Ham fans have been puzzled by the playmaker’s lack of game time since.
Particularly after an impressive performance in his first start at Leeds and West Ham’s lack of attacking threat since Michail Antonio’s injury.
Hammers fans bemused by Moyes treatment of £30m playmaker
Conspiracy theorists are out in force after Benrahma was left on the bench while West Ham settled for a draw in a dismal performance against Brighton.
Some believe it is a sign Benrahma simply wasn’t Moyes’s choice and was foisted on him by the owners.
Others believe there is a clause in the deal which is activated once Benrahma makes a certain number of appearances or starts. The inference being Moyes or the owners do not want that clause activated.
Moyes appeared ready to throw Benrahma into the mix late on with West Ham trailing 2-1.
But when the Hammers made it 2-2, Benrahma was told to sit down.
Some believe the fact West Ham play three games in six days dictated Moyes’s selection.
They think the Scot is saving Benrahma for the Southampton game.
Conspiracy theorists out in force as ‘Free Benrahma’ hashtag grows online
Whether that is true or not Moyes may be forced to play the skilful attacker regardless given the dreadful performance against the Seagulls.
It comes as a ‘Free Benrahma’ hashtag grows on social media.
Twitter was awash with the tag yesterday and it wasn’t just West Ham fans using it.
Brentford fans and West Ham’s Premier League rivals were getting in on the act.
It seems not only West Ham fans are perplexed that a talented player such as Benrahma is getting splinters on the bench for a side lacking creativity.
Serious questions need to be asked of Moyes.
Those with access to press conferences must ask the questions West Ham fans want answered.
Why isn’t Benrahma playing? Is there a clause in his deal? Was he Moyes’s signing or not?
Time will tell on all of those issues.
But it will be glaringly obvious an hour before kick-off against Southampton tomorrow whether the £30m man has a future at West Ham.