Albian Ajeti: Is he under played or under performing for West Ham?

For West Ham United’s newest striker the season so far has been lackluster. Albian Ajeti hasn’t found his footing yet and it’s unknown if he ever will.

To no fault of Albian Ajeti, he was somewhat of an unknown commodity for West Ham fans when he arrived from FC Basil at the beginning of this season. He came with the flash of a transfer day purchase who scored goals but that was about it.

Before evening coming to West Ham he was scoring. The narrative of unknown to exciting quickly changed as he has scored 2 goals in 3 matches in Switzerland which was a promise and almost once again to no fault of his own starting giving a “false” promise to fans as they began researching who their new purchase was.

However, so far in East London things have been a bit spoiled. In 5 total EPL matches, he has yet to record a solid shot on net. He’s been in the mix a few times but has never really gotten going. There is hope yet as Pellegrini recently switched to a 4-4-2 which might give him more hope.

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This all builds up and leads to the question of is he underplayed or underperforming at West Ham? His achievements or lack thereof, for the Hammers, might lead most to call for him to be sold or put out on loan but those calls of him being a flop are way too rash and early.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United saves a shot from Albian Ajeti of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on November 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /

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Follow site-expert, Adam Smith, recently called for Ajeti to be the teams first sub off the bench playing him with either Michail Antonio or Sebastien Haller upfront. That falls into the other and possibly more real mystery following Albian of is he just underplayed or not played correctly?

Ajeti played in a one up top formation while at FC Basel so he should’ve been used to the formation Pellegrini was running but life in Switz Super League is much different from the English Premier League. But with his size and abilities, he could be a perfect fit up top with either of the before-mentioned strikers.

His time at the LS hasn’t been one for the history books just yet, but times can change. What West Ham cannot afford to do it just ship him off on a forgotten loan time and time again only to lose him in a few years. Case in point, Sead Haksabanovic, and Martin Samuelsen. Both are young football talents that weren’t used well because they hadn’t been groomed or were unknown.

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To do a midseason review on the young Switz international seems a bit unfair but alas, here we are. In my opinion, he needs more time and we should all be just a little patient with him as he grows into this team and this league. However, if he gets 10+ more chances and still looks lost, then time might come to find a new alternative.