West Ham loan lifeline to Fernandes, Byram at season start

West Ham has loaned out Edmilison Fernandes to Florentina of Serie A, to match last weeks loan of Sam Byram to Nottingham Forest. Both players failed to make major impacts in the seasons prior due to injury or performance, but non-permanent moves suggest a Premier League lifeline my still be there for the not-so-young youngsters.

Edimilson Fernandes:

The 22-year-old Swiss international midfield has been loaned to Florentina of Italy’s Serie A. On the heels of West Ham’s transfer for Florentina defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez, the Fernandes move appears to be linked with this transfer, returning a player on loan to replenish Florentina’s squad.

Fernandes’ 2017/18 season was extremely disappointing but not entirely his fault. An ankle sprain saw Fernandes miss six games spanning September 11th- October 14th. Upon returning, Fernandes featured four times in eight matches before missing 18 games with another ankle injury.

Truly a shame as West Ham’s depleted squad would have provided him plenty of opportunities to stake a claim at starting minutes. Once healthy  Fernandes was played in seven of eight available matches to end the season. He tallied his only assist against Everton in West Ham’s season-ending 3-0 win against the Toffees.

Fernandes seems to be an attacking midfielder but, has been played out of position a lot since joining West Ham in August of 2016. At attacking midfield Fernandes has shown solid pace, a decent shot, and his desire to sprint into the box on supporting runs. Fernandes also likes to lie in wait outside the box on corner kicks to collect semi-cleared balls, sending them back into danger.

Hopefully, some solid minutes in Itlay will provide the promising player the opportunity to hone his offensive skills and return to East London with a more expansive skill set.

Sam Byram:

After the search for a permanent deal came up fruitless, Sam Byram joins Championship side Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal. The English right-back has had a tumultuous time at West Ham, heavily stricken with injury woes.

A year. Sam Byram has missed one calendar year in total days due to injury; 356 exactly. An astoundingly high and round number, not to mention devastating to player and club as the young English defender appeared to be the heir to the right-back positional throne.

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At 24 Byram seems to be the player that he is. He may round out his skill set more, but he is a hard tackling, physical, overlapping right-back defender who isn’t afraid to mix it up and get a card every so often. His hardworking attitude and physical edge is something West Ham have been missing and, like Fernandes, would have had an opportunity to make an impact on an injury-stricken 2017/18 West Ham side.

With Ryan Fredericks now in the team, it appears West Ham have their right back for now and the future. Pablo Zabaleta is also still on the team, slotted in behind Fredericks on the depth chart but no doubt still pushing for game time and mentoring the defensive core. However, with Zabaleta’s contract expiring after this season could Prodigal son Sam Byram return to West Ham?

It is a storyline that seems unlikely as Pellegrini was trying to sell him, but we shouldn’t write off Byram just yet. A solid season without injury and development of his defensive game is what Byram needs to reassert himself in the conversation at West Ham. Easier said than done for the oft-injured defender, though.

Pellegrini has made his decision and has loaned out two players who were bought with first team promises. The hope is still there as the deals were not permanent, but Pellegrini won’t be easy to impress. Good luck Sam and Edi!