West Ham Transfer Rumours: Is Chelsea’s Danny Drinkwater really the answer?
West Ham aren’t safe yet, but many are already looking to next season. With the midfield a huge area of concern, is Danny Drinkwater the answer?
Why Drinkwater made his big money move from Leicester to Chelsea, he probably dreamed he would be reuniting with Kante to win the league in blue again. However due to a little known player called Fabregas, it hasn’t really worked out. He’s played so little in the past season that he’s now been linked with move across the capital to West Ham.
More from Green Street Hammers - West Ham
- Brighton vs West Ham predictions: Can James Ward-Prowse help end the curse?
- West Ham and two Premier League rivals made huge transfer stand
- Lucas Paqueta bet allegations discussed in West Ham and Man City transfer talks
- Bournemouth vs West Ham predictions: Premier League opener amid transfer chaos
- West Ham near Denis Zakaria transfer after final James Ward-Prowse bid
The Hammers have a number of squad issues, but central midfield is arguably the biggest. Time and time again I’ve had to write articles about how soft they are through the middle. So it’s only understandable there are going to be lots of rumours linking the club to midfielders. However I’m not convinced the price they’ll have to pay for Drinkwater will be worth it.
An expensive, dull move
Drinkwater cost Chelsea 30m, and it’s unlikely, especially with recent player price inflation, that the Blues will want to lose money on that deal. So what would the boys in Claret and Blue get for their club record outlay?
Well they’ll get a 28 year old, consistent midfielder with a solid passing range. Someone solid in the challenge, but not the quickest. Kante was the dynamic one in their legendary Leicester partnership. Is that the kind of player who is worth a club record fee? I know he’s proven in the Premier League, but this isn’t taking us to the next level.
During the last 12 months we have been linked with Carvalho and Dendoncker, and either of those two would be a better move. Carvalho adds a more physical presence in the middle, someone we can trust to marshal the midfielder alongside someone like Obiang. Dendoncker is a much younger player with more promise ahead. He has a better passing range and it’s a far more bold move for the board to make.
Next: Moyes directing anger at players will not help cause
If we end up with Drinkwater I won’t be surprised. The board don’t like risk at all and he isn’t. He’s as steady as you could get. But the fans aren’t going to be happy with steady after all the promises that were made. Drinkwater, unfairly or not, isn’t an exciting transfer and the fans are unlikely to be happy with it.