In what is a rarity for West Ham in recent seasons, the team heads into the final few weeks of a Premier League with plenty to play for in both the league and FA Cup.
Nevertheless, it’s difficult to resist the temptation of thinking about the fast-approaching summer transfer window, especially as 2016 is set to be such a momentous moment for the club.
Talk of big name strikers has certainly raised the excitement, but Slaven Bilic will need to continue the trend of recruiting well, especially if the club is to kick on in its new home.
While a couple of star attractions would be great, a number of squad roles need to be plugged too. As with any campaign, the newly relegated Premier League teams offer a great bargain basemen. However, assuming it’s three from Aston Villa, Newcastle, Norwich and Sunderland, the general level of quality is noticeably poor. But there is one diamond amongst the rough, and he has already been linked with a potential switch to Stratford.
Georginio Wijnaldum hasn’t had the chance to shine at St James’ Park, due primarily to the lack of ability around him. Nonetheless, the 25-year-old Dutch international has shown glimpses on a number of occasions, not least with his starring performance in the 2-1 win over West Ham; surrounded by better players, the former PSV man would certainly fancy his chances.
With Victor Moses set to return to parent club Chelsea, finding a left-winger with Premier League experience could be a top priority. Of course, Bilic has already built a squad that has options, but a quick replacement would restore the option that will be vacated by the current No.20’s departure. Wijnaldum does offer versatility too and is capable of playing across the attacking line, which could be crucial as Bilic looks to build a team capable of fighting on the continent as well as the domestic scene.
The player will be keen to remain in the Premier League and bet.nl believe that he has plenty more to offer in England, citing his brilliance in PSV’s Eredivisie title win of 2014/15 as a truer reflection of his capabilities. Meanwhile, performances like those against West Ham and Norwich at St James’ Park highlight his need to feel loved and confident. Quite frankly, he couldn’t ask for a better manager than Bilic.
Not only does Wijnaldum boast the talents needed to thrive in this West Ham squad, but he could also pave the way for Dimitri Payet to occupy the No.10 role on a more consistent basis. If combined with one of the star strikers currently being linked, next season’s front line could be even more potent than this year’s.
With a price tag of around £15m, and his peak years approaching, the Dutch international would be a worthy edition indeed.
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