Green Street Hammers
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3 Left Backs that would solve West Ham’s problem

By Scott Johnson

DUISBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 06: Sergio Reguilon of Sevilla celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 single-leg match between Sevilla FC and AS Roma at MSV Arena on August 06, 2020 in Duisburg, Germany. (Photo by Wolfgang Rattay/Pool via Getty Images)
DUISBURG, GERMANY - AUGUST 06: Sergio Reguilon of Sevilla celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 single-leg match between Sevilla FC and AS Roma at MSV Arena on August 06, 2020 in Duisburg, Germany. (Photo by Wolfgang Rattay/Pool via Getty Images) /
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Owen Wijndal

ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – MAY 20: Owen Wijndal of AZ Alkmaar during the Training AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Trainingscomplex on May 20, 2020 in Alkmaar Netherlands (Photo by Ed van de Pol/Soccrates/Getty Images)
ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – MAY 20: Owen Wijndal of AZ Alkmaar during the Training AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Trainingscomplex on May 20, 2020 in Alkmaar Netherlands (Photo by Ed van de Pol/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Another attacking-minded left-back who has seen their stock rise in recent years is 20-year-old Dutchman Owen Wijndal. He has been turning out for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie and the Europa League and for a 20-year-old has a lot of gameplay under his belt. And this also won’t be the first time we here at Green St Hammers have picked him as a good buy for West Ham.

I will start with a slight negative though, and that is from what I’ve seen (and backed up by weaknesses on WhoScored) he has some work to do to be an effective crosser of the ball. Whilst Masuaku and Cresswell are both dangerous out wide, Wijndal will have to add that part to his game or we will have to ensure we have a genuine left-winger as part of our squad to get the best out of the Dutchman. Whilst his crossing isn’t at the top level, his through balls and willingness to pass-and-move enable him to create slightly more centrally than most conventional, modern full-backs.

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But his strengths could outway his perceived weaknesses if we were to give him a try. After all, at 20 years old he has a lot of space to grow and develop, especially if he were to learn from Cresswell things that would help develop his crossing over time. He managed 1 goal and 6 assists last season, meaning he was involved in 14% of his team’s goals in the league which is pretty impressive for a defender. He is strong on the ball and rarely wastes a possession, and contributes consistently on a defensive basis.

Valued at around 10-11m by Transfermarkt he wouldn’t break the bank for the club if we did get hold of some cash, however, there are probably other issues. His agent is “superagent” Mino Raiola, of Paul Pogba transfers fame. So on top of transfer fees, agent fees would be a big issue, and we’d likely seem him linked constantly with bigger teams as Raiola chases that agent bonus associated with each move. So it is unlikely to be a long term solution but could see a one or two-year transfer profit if Wijndal continues along his predicted trajectory.

Sergio Reguilon – Next Slide

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