West Ham should shop American in Germany for Striker depth
By Adam Smith
West Ham only need to buy in specific areas in the next transfer window. With one of those areas being striker, a trip to the Bundesliga could turn up a budding star.
Meet Josh Sargent, the next great American player to move from the new world to Germany to further his experience and forge ahead in his professional career. The striker has proven at the international level that he can knock a few goals in, and despite a tough year of Bundesliga football should still be on the Irons radar.
Let’s get down to it – who is Josh Sargent? The 6′ striker plays up top for Werder Bremen in Germany’s top tier, ascending from Bremen’s second team in the fourth-division in 2018. Playing in just ten league games that inaugural year, Sargent scored two goals, including his first Bundesliga goal, a minute into his debut and with his first touch.
Dubbed “The Bundesliga’s next breakthrough star” at the start beginning of 2018, Sargent has slowed down a bit with his offensive production. But, whether it be as a starter or bench player, striker, winger, or attacking midfielder, Sargent plays hard and pulls the attack forward with him.
Breakdowns of his play show that Sargent isn’t a shot-focused striker, looking for solo efforts on goal. Instead, he brings in other attacking players with his spatial awareness and helps create space with his intelligent runs across the backline. Sargent’s finishing has also been deemed ‘clinical’ with his positioning and never-give-up mentality that sees him capitalize on secondary chances.
At just 20-years-old, Sargent how has nearly two seasons of top-tier Bundesliga football under this belt. This season he’s scored three goals and two assists in just 850 minutes of play. For the American national team, Sargent has also five goals in 12 matches, to go along with his 35 goals in 58 games across the USA youth teams. West Ham need a versatile forward that can play off another striker, and who will be able to come off the bench and be effective too; both aspects Sargent possesses.
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He’s exactly the type of striker the Hammers need, he’d have a similar supporter effect to Javier Hernandez with American fans, he’d grow into the team with age, and he’d raise the play of other youngsters in the squad. Josh Sargent would be a wondrous signing for West Ham, who are still looking for a Ginger-Pele replacement, too!