West Ham should be looking at Sunderland youngster in the Summer
West Ham are looking to bolster all areas of the squad in the summer. They could do very well if they looked North for a man between the sticks.
It’s common practice to look at relegated clubs to try and get some cheap Premier League talent at the end of each season. It can be dangerous as they did just get relegated, but talent is talent. I mean who wouldn’t take Sigurdsson at West Ham if Swansea got relegated?
So if we look at one of the clubs currently struggling, could we raid Sunderland? Jordan Pickford has been linked with a multitude of Premier League clubs and the Hammers are one of them. A young English talent who could play for years, what can go wrong?
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Is it worth it?
Well as mentioned above, the chances are he will be relegated this year. And if you’re a relegated keeper you tend to have conceded quite a few goals. As such the confidence could be low and it’s not the best idea to throw a young keeper with no confidence in goal early on in his career.
But having a keeper grow into a better team is a positive. Stoke were rewarded for their faith in Jack Butland, until injury played an unfortunate part, but it’s a model to follow. The East London club have long had a reputation for bringing in young talent and this could be a good way to go about it.
The issue would be cost. With the club, and seemingly the board, interested in Joe Hart is there enough money for both? And is there enough space in the club for two more keepers? Would Darren Randolph really be happy about moving back into reserve and in competition with a youngster as well?
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There is a lot to go over for the board, but Pickford should be considered. He has proven to be a reliable shot stopper and a top all round keeper. But it would take a certain leap of faith to put him in the squad straight away. Joe Hart would fit the trajectory of the club a lot better, and there’s certainly less risk involved. And we all know the board despise risky ventures when considering the club’s future.