West Ham must hijack ex Chelsea monster Nemanja Matic’s imminent return to London on a free transfer for one key reasons.
West Ham managed to succeed where Chelsea failed by signing Edson Alvarez in the summer.
And the Mexican has quickly established himself as one of West Ham’s most important players – showing Chelsea just what they’re missing.
El Machin was all set for a move to Chelsea the summer before only for Ajax to pull the plug on a deal.
West Ham have been the beneficiaries with the midfield destroyer looking an absolute bargain at £35m – a third of the price of Declan Rice.
West Ham must hijack Matic’s imminent London return
The problem – as it was when Rice was with the Hammers – is that West Ham look a completely different team without Alvarez in the side.
David Moyes has no obvious cover for that specialist defensive midfield role. Alvarez has also showed he can drive forwards with the ball in recent weeks.
There are striking similarities between Alvarez and the former Chelsea and Man United midfielder Nemanja Matic when in his prime.
Well developments in the last few days mean that very man is actually available.
West Ham must hijack ex Chelsea monster Matic’s imminent return to London on a free transfer.
Perfect cover for Alvarez
Matic is currently on the books at French outfit Rennes, but is set to leave after a reported fall out with the club.
Reports state that executives at the Ligue 1 club have failed to deliver on a promise of enrolling Matic’s children into an international school.
The Sun claims there is no school of that type in the French city and Matic is said to have cleared his locker and told his agents to secure a return to the Premier League.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, that is set to lead him to West Ham’s London rivals Fulham in the next 48 hours.
But the Hammers should intervene and steal him from under Fulham’s noses.
Ideal short-term fix in difficult window
He may be 35 but West Ham have so much to play for this season as they look to maintain their challenge for the top six and go deep in the Europa League having made the last 16.
Matic has a wealth of experience, knows the Premier League inside out, would need no time to settle back in London and would cost little or nothing according to reports.
The drop off in West Ham’s central midfield when Alvarez does not play was there for all to see in a 5-0 drubbing at Fulham.
The Cottagers already have Joao Palhinha and a host of central midfield options. So if they are looking to bring Matic in as back-up then why not West Ham.
Yes he does not fit Tim Steidten’s recruitment philosophy long-term. But the January transfer window is proving very difficult for the Hammers thus far.
And with only two weeks to go until the window closes, Matic could be the ideal short-term back-up for one of West Ham’s most important players.
If something was to happen to Alvarez between now and May all of West Ham’s hopes and ambitions could go up in smoke.
READ ALSO
Moyes’ right-hand man offers West Ham transfer tease as clock ticks down.
London Stadium naming rights update as pricing row could go to court.
West Ham have a secret weapon in battle with Chelsea for brilliant striker.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
