Why West Brom’s Jonny Evans Will Be A Great Signing For West Ham United
According to the Daily Mirror, West Ham will make an approach for the 30-year-old Jonny Evans when West Brom’s relegation is confirmed.
West Brom are primed for relegation as they find themselves rock bottom of the Premier League. Despite their improved form in their last two games under caretaker manager Darren Moore, anything less than a victory at Newcastle on Saturday would confirm their relegation.
The report adds that the Hammers have a long-standing interest in Evans, who joined West Brom in 2015 from Manchester United. Should West Ham sign Evans at the end of the season, what will he bring to the table?
Since joining West Brom in 2015, Evans has improved leaps and bounds. He has regularly featured for West Brom in the last couple of years and has established himself as one of the most reliable centre-backs in the Premier League. It is not just about his improvement in the game as Evans’ partners have also done well too.
Currently, the Baggies are fighting tooth and nail to stay in the Premier League and although they have been shambolic defensively, Evans has been a tough nut to crack.
He has barely put a foot wrong and continues to be an astute leader. The Northern Irishman has a good range of passing and he’s strong in the air.
Evans is seen as the new ball-playing centre-half at the Hawthorns, due to his technical ability and speed. He has the ability to move forward with the ball before releasing his teammates and always remains a threat during set-pieces.
As far as West Ham are concerned, David Moyes certainly needs a new central defender in the summer, having lost Jose Fonte to the Chinese Super League. Moyes has steadied the ship at West Ham, yet their defensive organisation and shape have been called into question on a number of times this campaign.
That’s where Evans’ signing would become significant for the Hammers. Not only is he a leader but is also a fantastic organiser. Evans is a director, very much a no-nonsense British centre-half and knows when to clear the lines or gamble by keeping the ball in tight situations.
He has massive experience playing in the Premier League and at 30, he should be able to give at least 3-4 years of top quality football.
So considering West Ham’s interest in Evans, they will be getting a proven Premier League centre-back, a leader, a winner and an organiser, for a paltry sum.
Moyes knows Evans’ quality, having coached him at Man United and if he wants a cultured, experienced defender, who would fit in straight away at West Ham, he could do a lot worse than signing the Northern Irishman in the summer.