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Uninspiring defender added to the West Ham list

By Henry Tomlinson

Watford's English defender Craig Dawson (L) vies for the ball with Norwich City's Finnish striker Teemu Pukki during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Norwich City at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London, on July 7, 2020. (Photo by Matt Dunham / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MATT DUNHAM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Watford's English defender Craig Dawson (L) vies for the ball with Norwich City's Finnish striker Teemu Pukki during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Norwich City at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London, on July 7, 2020. (Photo by Matt Dunham / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by MATT DUNHAM/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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West Ham have been linked to many central defenders over the last month or so, now Watford’s Craig Dawson is being touted as a target.

Vladimir Coufal has only just been announced as the first new face into West Ham. The club are moving on to try and strengthen the centre of defence. The Hammers have been linked with some high-calibre targets such as James Tarkowski, Daniele Rugani and Nikola Milenkovic.

Moves for those players seem to have failed if new rumours are to be believed. West Ham have now turned their attentions to Hornet’s defender Craig Dawson according to the Mail. The 30-year-old played twenty-nine times in the Premier League last season scoring two goals.

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Despite Dawson’s best efforts, he was unable to help Watford avoid relegation to the Championship. Since relegation, Dawson is yet to turn out for the Hornets in the League but did play one match in the League Cup.

The defender is able to play at both centre-back and right-back. If signed, it would be likely Dawson could be played as the right-centre-back in David Moyes’ new defensive system. Dawson would be used as a fourth choice rotational defender that could alternate with Fabian Balbuena.

A move for the 30-year-old would not break the bank. Dawson is only valued at £4.32 million on transfermarkt and would be a much cheaper option than some of the other names linked with the club.

Many fans first-choice defender, Milenkovic from Fiorentina, would cost the club a reported £25 million with £10 million in add ons. Considering the lack of other transfer activity and the sale of multiple players, the clubs heirarchy should be able to afford this expense.

Signing Dawson over Milenkovic or any of the other viable options would only be a temporary attempt to fix the Hammers weak defence. At 30-years-old and on the decline even Dawson would need to be replaced in at most two years time.

dark. Next. Coufal in but, West Ham still have work to do.

With tensions between fans and the club’s ownership already in tatters, a move for Dawson would do little to repair the damage.

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