Chicharito cutting extremely frustrated figure at West Ham

West Ham have an issue with their strikers. So why isn’t big signing Chicharito getting the gametime we expected?

The Hammers have been searching for a striker for a few years. Each signing goes through periods of initial hope, poor form and then moving on. Sakho and Carroll appear to approaching that last stage, but Chicharito was meant to be the break for that. Why then isn’t he getting gametime for West Ham?

The Mexican has scored goals in any team he’s been in. He finds a way to get goals when things are tough, and his movement around the box is a constant irritation to opposition defenders. Recent body language at the club isn’t good, and many fear he could leave soon.

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At the start of the season, most predicted XI’s were built around Chicharito as the front man. Whilst he isn’t a big man he can still be a solo striker. We just can’t expect him to retrieve long balls forward and hold the ball up. But if you get players around him during the match, he will always give you a target. He can score running in behind or from balls into the box. But we’re choosing to play without an out and out striker.

As such Chicharito’s form, and I’m assuming his confidence, have suffered. In recent matches where he has come on as a substitute he has missed some simple chances, but that’s understandable. It’s hard to be match sharp when you’re not playing week in week out. And with the Hammers needing some clinical finishing, he should be getting some games.

The West Brom game offers Moyes a chance to play the Mexican. Antonio is injured, Sakho is on the move and the Hammers will look to play high. Chicharito will have players around him at most points and shouldn’t be isolated. Given the physicality of the West Brom players his pace and movement should also be the perfect counterfoil. As long as Moyes takes the chance.

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However if the Mexican continues to only play a part time role, expect him to leave. He is a national icon and he knows he can get gametime for other sides. For me I fear a player like him leaving the club.