‘Such a quality player’ – Exclusive: McAvennie raves about Benrahma full debut for 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 was delighted with what he saw from Said Benrahma last week when the forward made his full debut for West Ham against Leeds.
Benrahma, 25, lasted 84 minutes of the 2-1 victory at Elland Road, impressing with his direct style of play and lack of fear when getting up close to the Leeds defence.
According to stats by Wyscout, the Algeria international, who’s on loan at the London Stadium from Brentford, had six shots at goal, completed nine of the 10 dribbles he attempted and set up one shot.
While we wanted to see him get more of hits shots on target – only one called Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier into action – it was encouraging to see him try and help West Ham get onto the front foot in the way he did.
McAvennie was disappointed when the Hammers sold Grady Diangana to West Brom in the summer but is more than happy with Benrahma’s addition as a replacement.
“I was one of the first to voice my opinion about Diangana going but Benrahma’s such a quality player who obviously likes to be noticed,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“I’m pleased for the boy that he’s come in and done well.
“The more he gets to know his new team-mates, the better.”
As McAvennie says, Benrahma is only going to get better and better with the more games he plays, the more he gets used to David Moyes’ system and the more he gets used to his new team-mates.
The former OGC Nice attacker has been in East London for a couple of months now but surely his impressive display against Leeds will mean he’ll get more game-time in the coming weeks.
Arthur Masuaku’s injury led to Moyes playing a back-four against Leeds. It was the first time he hadn’t used a back-three since losing to Newcastle on the opening day of the season.
Fortunately for West Ham and for Benrahma, they won and it also opened up a spot in the starting line-up for the Algerian.
In other West Ham news, Said Benrahma could expose this struggling Crystal Palace ace on Wednesday.