McAvennie claims Benrahma has transformed under Moyes at West Ham
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has refused to criticise Said Benrahma after the West Ham attacker missed a golden opportunity to score versus Everton on Sunday.
David Moyes’ men saw their hopes of a top-four finish all but ended when they lost 1-0 to the Toffees at the London Stadium.
However, the score could have been different had Benrahma, 25, converted a massive chance to score with a diving header and open his goalscoring account with West Ham.
McAvennie is still pleased with what he’s seen from Benrahma since his arrival from Brentford last year and claims that Moyes has overseen a transformation in the Algeria international.
The ex-Hammers striker also admits he was wrong about selling Grady Diangana and replacing him with the Benrahma.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “He should have scored but it’s hard to criticise the boy.
“Benrahma’s become a different kind of player – he’s changed as a player – but he’s lacking confidence in getting goals. He needed that [goal against Everton].
“I’m not going to have a go at the boy. He’ll be no better for missing it but moving on, he’s a decent player and he’s doing well and he’s turned into the player David Moyes wants him to be. That’s only good for West Ham.
“Benrahma will learn and as long as you learn from it then all will be well. As I say, the boy is a good talent.
“I was complaining when [Diangana] went to West Brom and he came. I just thought it was stupid because he was a home-grown player but obviously it’s worked out.”
Benrahma’s had a mixed first season at the London Stadium.
It’s been a tremendous campaign for the club as a whole but the big-money signing from Brentford hasn’t really the hit the heights we’d have expected.
He has supplied creativity to the side despite his lack of goals, assisting six times in his 30 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions.
Diangana’s move to West Brom, offset by the addition of Benrahma, has definitely turned out to be a good decision though even though we weren’t happy with the decision to sell Diangana.
In other West Ham news, this Irons star is being forced to move house because of what fans are doing.
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