According to The Athletic, West Ham hold an interest in Scottish left-back Josh Doig. The 19yo fullback currently plays for Hibernian, where he has made 30 appearances this season, scoring one goal and assisting four, all whilst contributing to keeping clean sheets in over half the games he featured in.
The SFWA Young Player of the Year is reportedly available for only £5m despite being contracted until 2025. Should they choose to move for the fullback, the Hammers are likely to face competition from several other clubs, including Chelsea and Celtic.
What type of player is Doig?
According to the Hibernian official website, Josh Doig is a highly versatile player and is comfortable at center-back, left-back, or left wing-back. He is capable of playing with both feet, and as such, has also featured on the right side of the pitch.
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Whilst he is primarily a defender, Doig is an enthusiastic attacker and likes to get forward and puts crosses into the box. Interestingly, due to his proficiency with his right foot, he also likes to come inside and make an effort close to goal, with a relatively high rate of 0.9 shots per90.
Doig stands at 6’2, meaning he is a presence in both boxes and gives him a physicality that others his age may not have. By no means is the finished article; Doig is an exciting prospect and will surely provide any club that takes a chance on him great value for his price tag.
Would Doig fit in at West Ham?
West Ham currently has three first-team players on their books that can play at left-back: Aaron Cresswell, Arthur Masuaku, and Ben Johnson. However, despite a standout season, Cresswell is now 31 and cannot be counted on to play every game, especially with European football this season.
Masuaku is more effective as a wingback, and Johnson is predominantly right-footed and therefore affects the balance of the team when played on the left-hand side. Doig is more than capable of deputizing for Cresswell in the left-back position.
Due to his versatility, when Moyes elects to play 5 at the back, Doig could cover in the wingback position and fulfill Cresswell’s hybrid CB/LB role, too, even improving on Aaron’s height and physicality. Overall, Doig seems like a perfect fit for West Ham.
Moyes is sure to have good enough contacts in the Scottish game to have done his due diligence over Doig, and at the reported £5 million, it seems like a no-brainer. It remains to be seen whether West Ham’s budget will stretch given that left-back does not seem to be a priority position – however, I believe due to the injury concerns of Cresswell and Masuaku, it should be. Only time will tell, but surely somebody will take a risk and move for Doig soon.