Summer Transfer Window 2023
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Comments
From what I've read, it would seem the move from Gladbach to Juve was probably too big a step up at the time, and he didn't seem to get much of a look in at Chelsea, but West Ham/Europa League may be more of his level.
Quite a few reports have him being injury prone, which might be what has decreased his value, but barring one significant knee injury three or four years ago his record doesn't look that bad; mostly niggles which have kept him our for a couple of games.
I feel like solid is what we're looking for in filling the gap? One who can mop up and slow down the opposition and one who can do a bit of tackling but drive us up the pitch as well. Together they replace Rice. Try to get someone who does what Rice does and we might be splashing a chunk on one player who ends up not being up to it.
Don't think he's an exciting signing but at the prices quoted seems sensible.
"As far as stats go, Zakaria is up there with the best of them. The Swiss midfielder completed 100 per cent of his passes in his first four Bundesliga matches, immediately showing those around him that he means business. Standing at 6'2", the towering figure is a dominant midfield force who plays the easy pass when he has the opportunity. Very much a defence-minded player, Zakaria did still score twice in 2017/18 and provide three assists. After a superb debut campaign, the man who made two substitute appearances for his country at the 2018 World Cup will be pushing for more this season"
I suspect we'll also sign a more progressive midfielder. Ideally I'd like Alex Scott for the role. From Breaking the Lines:
"Alex Scott is a versatile midfielder, comfortable in a number of roles, from sitting in a more conservative pivot to operating as the most advanced midfielder tasked with creating chances. His best role likely lies somewhere in between as a roaming playmaker with box-to-box freedom. He possesses all of the technical attributes one would desire in a no. 8 and the physical qualities to make the step up to Premier League football"
Zakaria playing the 6 role with Scott and Paqueta as two 8s in a midfield three, with Barnes, Scamacca and Bowen ahead of them, would be great too see. We know Paqueta is happy to do his defensive work, and I suspect Scott could do the same, so one could sit whilst the other goes forward in support of the front three. Honestly think that would be a very exciting front six.
I really hope we're involved.
West Ham continue to progress with talks over the signing of Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria.
The club are hopeful they can get a deal over the line although there is still a gap in valuation but, as it stands, not one that is jeopardising the move.
Juventus have been clear they only want to do a permanent deal or at least a loan that comes with an obligation to buy.
The move is being driven by technical director Tim Steidten, who tried to sign Zakaria when he was sporting co-ordinator at Bayer Leverkusen.
West Ham also looking at other midfielders. Interest remains in Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse, Fulham's Joao Palhinha and Bristol City's Alex Scott.
However, Bournemouth now really pushing to sign Scott having had a bid rejected.
And this one against City in the FA Cup last season, getting fouled by Kalvin Phillips and Kevin De Bruyne amongst others. Looks good against Premier level opposition
But, tbh, I place as much (maybe more) stock in statistics and data as I do on 'the eye test', when I am not a football professional. And his statistics and reports from people who know more than me suggest he'd be a brilliant signing.
https://www.westhamzone.com/news/west-ham-united-make-contact-to-sign-edson-alvarez-in-35m-update-david-ornstein/
People ITK, waits for the who are these people question, reckon Sangare is a better option than Alvarez.
PSG were supposedly in for Sangare, but that looks to have broken down, and Dortmund were in for Alvarez.
I think I'd prefer Sangare based on the little that I've seen of them both, but would be happy with either.
Both more defensively minded (I think Alvarez started out as a CB), so I'm not sure if they would be instead of or as well as Zakaria.
West Ham are still working on a compromise on the price for Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria.
Sky Italy are reporting a bid of €13m (£11.1m) for the former Chelsea midfielder has been rejected, with Juventus looking for a fee in the region of €20m (£17.1m).
You know Dave, debuts during the busy Christmas period. You can't expect someone who has come from the Championship to come straight in, you can't expect someone from a foreign land to come straight in, you can't expect someone who hasn't been playing football during these summer months to come straight in.
Vlasic, Zouma, Paqueta and Kehrer were all on the bench for their first match. Bowen for his first two matches and Benrahma for his first five!
The exceptions were Soucek and Coufal who went straight into the starting XI - maybe its a Czech thing