West Ham United fans will remember El Hadji Malick Diouf as a left back who was very good offensively but not so good defensively. He was good on the ball and was able to put in an effective cross.
Diouf made five assists in 36 games for the Hammers in all competitions in his only season at the club. He could play wing-back in a back five and also left-back in a back four. Diouf also missed a large chunk of the last campaign due to going to the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
During that time, West Ham won just one of the six Premier League games that Diouf missed. Given that West Ham were relegated by just two points, had they had Diouf for those fixtures, then it could be Tottenham Hotspur in the Championship instead of the Hammers.
The former West Ham left-back is only 21, so had huge potential. He was linked with Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, FC Porto, and Aston Villa last summer. However, it was a move across London to Brentford that came to fruition.
This season, Diouf has played just nine games in all competitions for the Bees. In their last Premier League match, it was Keane Lewis-Potter who was preferred at left-back over the Senegalese. However, this has not stopped Diouf from being linked with bigger clubs in the division.
Liverpool and Chelsea are interested in Diouf
According to the Swiss outlet 4-4-2 (translated from German), "Liverpool and Chelsea are both eyeing the young Senegalese international."
Liverpool could do with a new left-back, given that Milos Kerkez has not yet reached the heights he did for AFC Bournemouth so far. However, the manager of Liverpool is now his former Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, so the tides could be turning for the left-back.
They could also use cover for Kerkez, as their other left-back, Kostas Tsimikas, spent last season on loan at AS Roma. They also have Luke Chambers, but he has featured just once for Liverpool in the Champions League this campaign. That was as a late substitute in a 6-3 win over LASK.
Chelsea are known for being very strong in attack. However, not so good defensively. Therefore, they have similar characteristics to Diouf. Xabi Alonso played a back five, so Diouf would fit well in a wing-back role in his system.
At Stamford Bridge, Diouf would be competing with Jorrell Hato, who is currently injured, and Pep Chavarria for a starting role. Moving to the Blues would also mean that the player would not have to relocate.
West Ham fans might not be missing Diouf that much, given that he spent just one season with them. However, they could do with a left-back, given that they are currently playing Morato, who is predominantly a centre-back in that role.
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