With January fast approaching, the rumour mill will start to turn and players will start to be linked. The question is, what sort of business do we look to do in the transfer window?
Joe Cole, Paul Robinson, Marouane Chamakh, Loic Remy and Nicholas Anelka have all been linked to name a few. Only Remy is one that wets the appetite, but I think we have been linked with him for the past 6 transfer windows and we never get near to signing him. As much as I would love to see a player of his skill, pace and ability join the side, I don’t think he would leave this window unless he is unhappy. And to be honest, why would he join West Ham when he would have better clubs after him too (likely Arsenal and Spurs).
In my opinion, I don’t want some old has been on short term contracts, but funds might be limited due to our summer spending, so we may have to take a player like Cole or Anelka on loan or a Free Transfer, until the end of the season, then assess the squad then. Another option is to make Benayouns transfer permenant. I am sure it would be a cheap option, however, he’s hardly recaptured the form he had when he joined first time round. The thing with older players (or any player coming to play for us) is that they are injury prone.
The next question is where do we need to strengthen? I suppose it all depends on who has returned come January 1 st and how long the injured players who are still injured, will be ruled out for. I believe defensively we have enough to cope until the end of the season. And if Diame and Benayoun return, I believe we will have enough in Midfield (With Collison being broken back in gently). I feel we lack some pace and creativity on one of the wings. Taylor normally has a good delivery, but I think he would be better suited at left back. This only leaves Vaz Te and Jarvis – Vaz Te is hardly the most consistent, and Jarvis is still settling in. Which brings me to my preferred transfer target, Tom Ince.
Ideally, Wilfred Zaha would have been the player I wanted, but I think we missed the boat in the summer, and Zaha is likely to sign for one of the big 4. But Tom Ince would be the ideal player. Young, pacey, left footer, scores goals and playing for a mid table Championship side which means he would probably be quite cheap. The big guns are not floating around him yet, and I think he would be perfect to inject some pace and goals to our frontline.
It would also give him time to settle into Premier League football in the second half of the season, ready to start next season.
I hope we sign a winger – but of course, all of this depends on the injury crisis clearing up a bit in the next few weeks. Let the speculation begin!
COME ON YOU IRONS!!