WINNERS
West Ham Fans
After seeing the squad trimmed to its bones, the arrival of a player with the technical ability of Benrahma is a huge morale boost. After the departures of Anderson and Diangana, the team has lost two players that can produce a moment of magic.
Moments of magic is exactly what Benrahma can produce. The Algerian scored seventeen goals and assisted nine in the Championship last season and was a big part of their promotion push. A season in the same mould as that would see Benrahm quickly become a fan favourite.
As a natural left-winger, the only competition Benrahma has for his spot in the team is Fornals, who is naturally a more central player. When The 25-year-old is given his chance, he could replicate the impact that Dimitri Payet made in a West Ham shirt.
Sebastien Haller
It’s not been the best years for Sebastien Haller, out of the side and out of favour. The team is now playing a system that does not suit him, and an exit from the Hammers may not have been surprising.
Moyes has favoured Michail Antonio over the Frenchman due to his exceptional work rate and pace. The Englishman has been one of the best strikers in the league for the last couple of months, which has dramatically reduced Haller’s playing time.
In the preseason, Haller was on fire and scored a hattrick in one game, Diangana assisted all of the goals. Benrahma can have a similar impact to the former Academy graduate; it could see Haller benefit.
The French striker had been firing goals in the league cup and got one in the Premier League against Wolves. Benrahma and Haller could form a solid partnership that could see the best of Haller in a West Ham shirt.
Despite Moyes and Fornals’ issues with the new recruit, there is plenty of upsides and can provide the team with some great options going forward.