Home » EPL » Go for it Pellegrini – West Ham would work wonders by signing this highly-rated Millwall ace to shore up defensive vulnerabilities

Go for it Pellegrini – West Ham would work wonders by signing this highly-rated Millwall ace to shore up defensive vulnerabilities

West Ham Opinion: Why the Hammers should go for Jake Cooper in summer

West Ham endured a very slow start to the season but after recovering from it, they now have a chance of securing the final Europa League playoff spot. Credit to Manuel Pellegrini for turning around the club’s fortunes after a turbulent beginning to the 2018/19 campaign.

And while the Hammers have recovered well to sit 10th on the table, things could have been better for them without the injuries to several of their key performers.

One of them has been summer signing Fabian Balbuena, who after a torrid couple of months in the Premier League settled down well and formed a formidable partnership at the back with fellow summer acquisition Issa Diop.

However, Balbuena suffered a meniscus injury against Watford in December and underwent a surgery in January. The Paraguayan’s loss due to injury has had a massive impact as West Ham have looked uninspiring and brittle at the back. Angelo Ogbonna has been deputising in Balbuena’s absence but the Italian hasn’t been convincing at all, leaving the Hammers’ backline very open at times.

And then there is the firm favourite Winston Reid, who is not expected to feature at all in the 2018/19 season. Reid suffered a serious long-term injury back in March 2018 and doesn’t appear that he will ever get back to his best. Hence, it’s very important for Pellegrini to shore up his options at the back when the transfer window re-opens in summer.

In clear words, West Ham must make a move for Millwall’s highly-rated defender Jake Cooper.

Jake Cooper, 24, has been a regular for Millwall since joining from Reading in 2017. The towering centre-half has taken his game to a different level this term, bagging an incredible five goals and six assists in 31 Championship starts which for a defender are absolutely outstanding. And his performances were duly rewarded in December, with Millwall handing him a new long-term contract.

A leader at the back, Cooper copes with pace and physical threat very well and has the ability to bring the ball out from the back with ease. He is an intelligent player, who is solid and dependable, and a massive threat from set-pieces. Due to his towering frame and strength, the 24-year-old is an asset to have on both ends of the pitch.

Cooper may be a bit clumsy with his tackling at times but overall he has the tools to ply his trade in England’s top-flight.

Conclusion

As Cooper has signed a new long-term contract with Millwall, any club including West Ham will have to spend big to acquire his services in summer. The Bracknell-born defender has enormous potential and at 24, he’ll only improve with time.

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The player has all the raw attributes to be a top centre-half, so West Ham shouldn’t think twice in splashing the cash for Cooper.