If it weren’t for Liecester City winning the title, people would have been raving about West Ham United and what Slaven Bilic achieved in his first season. Led by Bilic, the club achieved their highest point tally ever in the PL era and had their highest seeding in the table since finishing 7th in 2001-02. They set a record for both goals for and goal difference, and for little bits of time even snuck their way into Champions League conversations. One of the main reasons for their success last season was French player Dimitri Payet. The attacking midfielder was amongst the best players in the league last year, resulting in his selection in the French national team for the Euro 2016.
It will be important that Slaven Bilic doesn’t sit ideal on his laurels from last season, rather acts proactively and brings in quality reinforcements this summer to continue the progress of his team. with the shift to the Olympic Stadium and money coming from the new TV deal, The Hammers will have enough resources to compete with the top teams for signature of world class players. Reports have been circulating recently linking AC Milan forward Carlos Bacca with a £20million move to West Ham.
The Columbian international is 29 years of age, something that is creating doubts amongst the West Ham hierarchy, however one must remember that Payet is also 29 and look what he has done since arriving in England one year back. While Milan struggled throughout last season, Bacca still managed to score 18 goals, something that shouldn’t go unnoticed. If he does move to West Ham, imagine the havoc he will create for rival teams, if gets the proper service from behind him for example Dimitri Payet. The duo could be a formidable force together if they manager to forge an understanding.
There should also be doubts regarding Bacca’s consistency, the forward has scored between 20-28 goals in every season in the last four years. Question marks over his ability to adapt to the Premier League might be well founded, but the striker has proven himself in Spain’s and Italy’s top devision.
Bacca even has a good discipline, something that interests every manager in the world. If he does decide to move, there is no doubt he will be the first choice striker in the squad, given the Andy Carroll’s injury record. Therefore Bacca will offer a constant presence up top with results, something which none of the other strikers at West Ham can guarantee.
Bacca won’t come cheap, reports in the media suggest that he will be on the same pay grade as Payet at a whopping £120,000 a week salary. The fact that he is not one for the long run might work against him but Bacca is a guaranteed goal machine, and with the big move to the Olympic Stadium on the horizon, that is exactly what West Ham United need.
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