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Three West Ham careers wrecked by injury

By Henry Tomlinson

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 06: Dean Ashton of West Ham looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on October 6, 2007 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 06: Dean Ashton of West Ham looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on October 6, 2007 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /
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Andriy Yarmolenko

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Andriy Yarmolenko of West Ham United reacts to an injury during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on October 20, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Andriy Yarmolenko of West Ham United reacts to an injury during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on October 20, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

A current player who could have made such a difference for West Ham if it weren’t for injuries. Andriy Yarmolenko was signed from Borussia Dortmund for a hefty £17 million as part of Manuel Pellegrini’s revolution.

The Ukrainian had a fantastic start to his West Ham career, scoring two goals against Everton to give the Hammers their first win of the season. Yarmolenko started to form a decent partnership with Marko Arnautovic, as West Ham began to show signs of improvement. But, sadly the Ukrainian was struck down against Spurs only a month later. This injury would keep him out for the rest of the season.

Despite only playing nine times in 2018/19, Yarmolenko has managed to improve on that last season. The forward played twenty-three times, this extra time on the pitch has seen his contribution increase. Yarmolenko scored five times and assisted one more during the 2019/20 campaign.

The Ukrainian, much like his first season, started the last season brilliantly. Goals against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Norwich were crucial in the club’s positive start to the season. The Hammers season curtailed at Bournemouth when Fabianski went down injured and not long after that Yarmolenko found himself injured again.

When the 30-year-old returned Pellegrini had been replaced by David Moyes, and he would have to fight his way back into the side. Yarmolenko finally managed to get a chance after lockdown and took it with both hands. The forward scored a crucial goal against Chelsea to give the Hammer’s survival bid the boost it needed.

Related Story. The Man for the Big Moments: Yarmolenko’s up and down season. light

Yarmolenko at times is seen as a one-trick, lazy and slow player, but at times has been one of the best players at the club. If the three-time Ukrainian player of the year had stayed fit, West Ham would be a much better side.

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