Green Street Hammers
Fansided

Striker pick: Shinji Okazaki or Wilfried Bony for West Ham?

By Adam Smith

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Wilfried Bony of Swansea City in action during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Notts County and Swansea City at Meadow Lane on January 27, 2018 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Wilfried Bony of Swansea City in action during The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Notts County and Swansea City at Meadow Lane on January 27, 2018 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on December 8, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on December 8, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /

Shinji Okazaki

If West Ham were destined and 100% guaranteed to be signing a free agent striker, then thank the lord Malaga cut Shinji Okazaki. He’s not a lock to be brought in by Manuel Pellegrini, but having the decision made more difficult by viable options is certainly a welcomed circumstance.

The reason why Okazaki was cut is also interesting. The Japanese striker joined the Spanish side after after his contract was not renewed by Leicester City this offseason. Financial trouble at Malaga forced the owner of the team to cut him along with four other players in order to get the team’s finances in line.

The 33-year-old forward was looking to revive his career with Malaga, a team linked with Pellegrini and Mario Husillos in the past. At his age options would certainly be limited in Europe, so a lifeline back to arguably the most competitive and “best” league in the world would probably be welcomed by him.

Would West Ham have a use for him? Sure, as mentioned their options at striker are limited right now, but do his playstyle and recent history suggest he can make an impact? That is a different story.

He made 21 appearances last season for Leicester but only started in one match where he collected a season-high 70 minutes played. Outside of this start, Okazaki managed just 199 more minutes and one goal contribution in Premier League action. Okazaki was used sparingly behind Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho, and it appears there was a solid reason why. The veteran forward just may be past it.