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 believes West Ham should sign Kalvin Phillips and Lewis Ferguson this summer to try and replace the outgoing Declan Rice.
The skipper is expected to leave the club at the end of the season with Arsenal the frontrunners for his signature in a deal worth around £90m according to reports.
And former Scotland striker McAvennie feels that the club could spend that money easily on two players to replace him, including one shock name from Serie A.
“I think if Declan’s going then I’d spend a chunk on Phillips. Even the boy Lewis Ferguson, I said that a while ago,” he told West Ham Zone.
“He’s that kind of player. He’s getting banded about for AC Milan and Juventus now and I said a while ago, that’s the kind of player West Ham should have taken.
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“If you want a ready-made mini-me then Phillips is the guy. He’s not getting a game.
“I don’t care who you are, if you’re a football player then you want to play football. It’s alright getting coached under Pep but you’ve got to take that into a game on a Saturday.
“I think he’d be a great fit Phillips, and you’d get him for half the money. It’s a no-brainer for me.”
Phillips made his first start of the Premier League season on Sunday as Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0, having already won the title.
It’s expected that he may be allowed to leave in a deal worth around £50m, with David Moyes holding an interest in the player for several seasons.