Averaging only 1.05 goals per Premier League game last season, finding the net more often is something that West Ham need to improve on.
There has been fantastic reinforcements brought in throughout the rest of the squad with the defensive reassurance of Angelo Ogbonna, the flair and playmaking of Dimitri Payet as well as recapturing Carl Jenkinson again after his heroics last season.
It’s no secret that that Diafra Sakho was one of the positives from last season- scoring ten goals in 23 appearances for the Hammers last year, in what was his debut season in the Premier League. The worry, however, is about fitness and back up.
With Sakho himself missing 15 league games last season, and club record signing Andy Carroll missing a massive 27 games, it leaves the club with few other striking options. One of which being Enner Valencia who was stretchered off last night with what looked like a pretty serious knee injury, and could even miss the majority of the season.
The other squad options being Modibo Maiga – who has yet to do anything of any significant note in a claret and blue shirt since signing for the club, and is certainly not good enough to demand a regular starting spot in a top half and European team.
Elliot Lee – from the famous West Ham youth system who hasn’t yet produced the promise and potential he looked like having after breaking into the first team a few seasons ago. And the temperamental still unproven Mauro Zarate – who it must be said is more effective as a winger than an out and out striker.
With this being a very exciting time for the club, moving into the Olympic stadium next year, and finally having European football at Upton Park people have been impressed with the aspirations of the signings made, and the players being linked. And this should not stop here. There is a desperate need for a top quality striker.
A search which has been ongoing since Sam Allardyce took over at West Ham, having gone through 18 strikers since he became manager in 2011.
With this season in particular there is more at stake for international players with the European Championships around the corner in France next summer.
In evidence of that we have identified five strikers that could work for West Ham this season and could fit into the method of football that Slaven Bilic wants to play at West Ham both at home and in Europe…
CLICK HERE TO REVEAL
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