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Albian Ajeti or Chicharito? Who is West Ham United’s backup striker?

By Jeremiah Carson

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Javier Hernandez of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Javier Hernandez of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United at American Express Community Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Although West Ham United do not have a plethora of center forwards, the ones they do have are fairly good and seem to have some skill on their side. The question is, who will back up Sebastien Haller on Saturday against Norwich?

Going off of that question, West Ham has only two backups that could fill that role right now with Antonio and Silva out. Those two, Chicharito and Albian Ajeti. Both men seem up to the task of backing up Haller and playing in the EPL but still, who does the Gaffer start on Saturday?

To answer that question, let’s look into the two Hammer’s and see if we can’t decide who should be a part of the subs come Saturday.

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Albian Ajeti

The Swiss international has only a small portfolio when it comes to West Ham playtime. To be exact, he has 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup against League 2 side Newport County. In that match, you didn’t see or hear his name too much especially in the first half. He had a few opportunities to put it home, most notably on his close range header, but was just a bit outside the bar.

Weirdly enough, Ajeti does have some substantial stats this season from his time at FC Basel before being transferred to West Ham United. His stats, 2 goals, and 2 assists with 1 goal coming from a UEFA Champions League qualifier. Ajeti might not be experienced in the EPL, but he does have experience none the less.

Chicharito

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Javier Hernandez is an EPL veteran and as far as West Ham forwards go, he has the longest-standing with the Hammers. Hernandez opened his season goal account against Brighton 2 weeks ago and we all know his reputation as the “fox in the box” having scored all 53 of his EPL goals from within the box.

Chicha also has been loyal to the club which speaks volumes with fans and the back office alike. He hasn’t always wanted to stay in East London but to paraphrase, he has a contact here so this is where he will play. Also in his time here, he has his second highest goals per minutes played ratio only behind Real Madrid when he was on loan there.

Both men are equally capable of the role of squad sub even with their different styles of play, Ajeti with aggression and speed and Chicharito with awareness and finishing. If it were up to me, I would start Hernandez simply due to his form in other Premier League matches and his style of play of finding holes against Norwich would be very helpful.

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Luckily for all of us, we only have to wait one more day until the match up takes place at the London Stadium. Let’s hope that the return home for the Hammers will be better for them since the last home match when City came to town. Until then, COME ON YOU IRONS!