Pundit wants West Ham United to use youngsters this season, could save them money
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 called for West Ham to give youngsters a chance this season, claiming it could save them “a lot of money” in the transfer market.
The Hammers have taken their spending this summer beyond £50m after the arrivals of Nayef Aguerd, Alphonse Areola and Flynn Downes following their 7th placed Premier League finish and Europa League semi-final in the 2021/122 season.
But with talk that the club could be set to loan out a host of youngsters for more regular first-team football [ExWHUemployee, July 5], the former striker called for David Moyes to give some players a chance this year.
“I got told there was a boy coming through, a striker,” he told West Ham Zone.
“I don’t know if he’s been put out on loan or not but the fans were saying there’s a boy banging in goals left, right and centre. So why not give him a chance? The fans would give him a chance if he’s coming through the ranks. The fans would give him more chance than a big signing.
“So I know people say you can’t win things with kids, but if you’re scoring goals you’re scoring goals and you’ve got to give him a chance. I wonder if David will do it that way. I don’t know the boy’s name, but I know he’s a striker at West Ham scoring a lot of goals. So I would like to see David give him a chance.
“If he’s put him out on loan then fair enough. I can understand that because he’ll get games and he can bring him back when he needs him. But in the next year we’re going to need a good striker to lead the line.
“West Ham can’t play like Barcelona and Man City with false 9’s and all that nonsense. We’ve got to, West Ham is a centre forward club. Not somebody to lump it up to, because Antonio can’t do that. But somebody that can give defences a lot of bother.
“I can’t see him playing without that, so he’s got to give kids a chance if they’re good enough. I’m going to suggest that David would give them a chance if they’re good enough, so only time will tell. But if these boys are as good as what the fans think they are coming through, then they’ll get a chance this year. Hopefully sooner rather than later, it could save the club a lot of money.”