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Albian Ajeti: The Missing Man for West Ham This Past Season

By Aaron Deanes

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Albian Ajeti of West Ham United reacts during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The London Stadium on January 25, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Albian Ajeti of West Ham United reacts during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The London Stadium on January 25, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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With the Swiss international seemingly set for a move up north to Glasgow, it’s probably the best time to sum up his disappointing season in East London.

Ajeti officially joined West Ham on August 8th 2019, arriving from Basel FC, one of the perennial favourites in the Swiss Super League. He was fresh off a campaign where he tallied 21 goals in 43 matches in all competitions and had already found the net twice in 3 matches that August before the transfer was finalized.

West Ham had already signed Sebastian Haller earlier in the preseason but hopes were high that Ajeti would be a talent to develop for the future. When you consider that he was only 22 and already had 105 appearances in the Swiss Super League as well as Champions League and Europa League experience it seemed like West Ham had unearthed some potential.

But to say it really hasn’t worked out for Ajeti and West Ham would be understating just how dire his year has been. He managed to make 12 appearances for the Irons, but played just 400 minutes with 270 of them coming in his 3 cup appearances.

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It seemed as if Manuel Pellegrini never really trusted the Swiss frontman, as he only gave him his two starts in the League Cup as well as a handful of token minutes late in matches when the situation was either lost or West Ham was desperately chasing a goal.

Some supporters wondered if Pellegrini’s lack of appreciation for Ajeti’s abilities were preventing him from getting an opportunity in the league and whether David Moyes would find the striker more useful.

However, Moyes seemed to agree with Pellegrini’s assessment, as he would give Ajeti only one start the rest of the season as West Ham bowed out of the FA Cup early against Slaven Bilic‘s West Brom. That start seems almost generous as Ajeti would see the pitch for a grand total of 10 minutes the rest of the season and was not even named in the matchday squad for 7 of the final 13 matches of the season.

While there are some supporters who believe Ajeti never really got a fair shake in East London, I firmly believe that if he failed to impress two different managers then the club is right to move him on. Fellow young forward Xande Silva seems to be ahead of him in the pecking order, and with Michail Antonio in the form of his life and Sebastian Haller’s big price tag, there doesn’t seem to be an opportunity for first-team football at West Ham.

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Season Grade: D

Rumours have it that the loan deal to Celtic, if it goes through, will see Ajeti join them on a permanent transfer contingent on a low number of appearances this season. If that’s the case, he isn’t travelling to Glasgow to develop for the Hammers, but rather to give Celtic a closer look before they buy. Other rumours suggest a £5million permanent deal this window. Either way, I think it’s the best move for both the player and the club.