Overall
West Ham needs a few players right now, and players of Di Canio or Payet’s quality aren’t easy or cheap to bring in. And in this time machine scenario, we can only bring one of them forward to play for us now. So who do you pick?
For me, Di Canio is an absolute legend of the club, both for his ability and his attitude on the pitch. But we don’t necessarily need a striker that will come deep for the ball, isn’t overly fast or physical and has a tendency to pick up one too many pointless yellow cards. What we could use is a left-winger capable of posing both a danger on the ball himself and creating for others. Add in his dead ball capabilities and I don’t think this one is too close a call.
For all the issues we have with Payet over the way he left (for good reason) he was a genuine world-class player. I mean, he was nominated for the Ballon D’Or whilst at the club. That’s crazy. He opens up the pitch for his teammates, draws attention and can find players with the most unlikely of passes.
If you stick him on the left, Antonio or Haller up top, Fornals at the top of a midfield three and Bowen on the right, you have a great recipe for goals before you even start worrying about who’s playing in the other positions on the pitch. Di Canio, whilst likely shoes in for the No.10 role in the current squad, wouldn’t be quite as impactful given his main contribution to the squad was his goal-scoring exploits.
Agree? Think I’m going crazy? Have suggestions for other West Ham legend matchups? Let me know here or on social media, and have a lookout for future articles as we go for historic head to heads.