It’s been a topsy turvy year for West Ham United outcast, Diafra Sakho. The Senegalese striker has had his problems with the law, crashed his luxury car, had Domestic problems, and injuries. He fell out with manager, Slaven Bilic; who left him out of the team on his return, for nothing more than the fact Andy Carroll was performing well.
However, it’s been this summer that we have seen Sakho take things to a new level. Handing in a transfer request, and then refusing to travel for the pre season training camp in Austria.
I was a big fan of Sakho. His tireless running, and eye for goal gave us something we had been missing, and he has all the traits that a modern day striker needs. To sign him for £3.5m from the French Second Tier as well, I thought we had really struck gold. However, his disruptive behaviour has really taken the shine off of his West Ham career.
A failed medical for a £16m move to West Bromwich Albion has really made things awkward for the player. The chairmen and manager must have been gutted to miss out on a £13m profit for a player who doesn’t want to be at the club. So what happens now?
Reports suggest Sakho is working hard in training and now wants to try and rejoin the squad for the new season. David Gold has also reported that Sak is working hard. But can a player change his attitude that quickly? Would he be welcome back into the squad or is there a risk that he can poison the minds of the other players?
For me, the damage is done, and he should be made to train on his own, away from everyone. We have plenty of strength in depth and don’t need him and his ego around a good team spirit. I would even consider a cut price deal to get him out the club.