FIVE players to ‘follow’ Slaven Bilic to West Ham
Would former West Ham player Slaven Bilic be your choice to replace Sam Allardyce as the Hammers gaffer?
The former Croatia national team coach is poised to leave Turkish outfit Besiktas and is the odds on favourite to take the Upton Park hotseat.
With his no nonsense approach and attacking style of play, it’s inevitable that the wonderful West Ham faithful will warm to Bilic quicker than they did with Big Sam.
A potentially long Europa League campaign, Premier League season as well as cup commitments awaits the new manager in East London so the Boleyn Ground are set for a busy summer in terms of player recruitment.
Here are five players that could follow Bilic to West Ham…
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Demba Ba
‘Ba, Ba, Ba, Ba, Demba Ba, Ba, Ba Ba’ (to the chime of Paul Johnson- Get Get Down) could well be ringing around Upton Park next season.
With cult hero Carlton Cole released and Mauro Zarate and Modibo Maiga returning to West Ham from loan spells with uncertain future’s hanging over their heads, bringing Ba back to where he made a name for himself would be extremely wise.
When given the chance, there is no question Ba is a dangerous attacking outlet.
In his three-and-a-half years in England’s top flight, the Senegal international mustered a respectable 43 goals whilst with the likes of West Ham, Newcastle United and Chelsea.
He carried on his prolific goalscoring touch in Turkey, scoring 18 goals in 29 matches.
As well as having experience in European competitions, the Hammers’ shortage of strikers already could be resolved if Bilic can persuade Ba to re-join West Ham.
Olcay Sahan
Many of the West Ham fans would be reading and the first thing they will say to them self who is Olcay Sahan?
German born Turkey international Sahan has recently been linked with a move to the Premier League in the January transfer window, with the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United and the Hammers all linked.
After joining Besiktas from German outfit FC Kaiserslautern, Sahan instantly became a fans favourite with the lively Besiktas fans, scoring 23 goals in 97 games since 2012.
Predominantly a left winger, a playmaker role is also the 28-year-old’s preference.
His pace work rate a skill will no doubt cause problems for domestic and European football.
Gokhan Tore
Another one of the Besiktas clan, Tore is a very tricky winger who craves on attacking the opposition full back on numerous occasions.
After starting his career at Chelsea, Tore moved clubs twice between 2011 and 2014 before finally settling down in Turkey.
First it was German side Hamburg, then Russian outfit Rubin Kazan, before signing for Besiktas.
If Bilic is in charge, then he have in the back of his mind that Tore once threatened some of his Turkish teammates with a gun while on international duty over speculation about an affair.
Will Bilic be willing to take the risk on this livewire?
Darijo Srna
Believe or not, 33-year-old Srna was the quickest player in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
For a player who can see retirement in his sight that is quite impressive.
Furthermore, the Hammers recently announced the departure of Guy Demel and with Carl Jenkinson still unsure of where his future lies, capturing Srna could become essential for an all-round successful 2015/2016 campaign.
Through their days with the Croatia national side Srna and Bilic still have a good relationship, but can Bilic persuade Srna to leave his captaincy at Shakhter Donestk where he has been for a staggering 12 years?
Alen Halilovic
Not only are Spanish football giants FC Barcelona a highly successful football side, but their academy is also something to admire.
Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Carlos Puyol, Xavi and Sergio Busquests have all come through the famed academy and have gone onto to achieve magnificent things.
Nowadays, it’s Rafinha and Sergi Roberto tipped for big things.
One player that has the potential to be as successful as the wholesale names listed above, though, is Halilovic.
The Croatian playmaker is yet to make a first team appearance for Barca, but he is incredibly gifted after starting out Dinamo Zagreb.
Getting him on loan for at least one season should be pivotal and fellow compatriot Bilic is the man to get Halilovic in a claret and blue shirt.
Barca were kind enough to loan Alex Song to West Ham, so why can’t they do the same with Halilovic?