Carlton Palmer excited by West Ham-linked Patrick Schick
Former England international Carlton Palmer has given a rave review of the West Ham-linked Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrick Schick.
The Hammers have been reported to want the Czech Republic international for £40million to compete with Michail Antonio for the number nine role in David Moyes’ side [The Mirror]
The 25-year-old burst onto the scene during Euro 2020 with a goal from the halfway line against Scotland and he has now kicked on in Germany, scoring 16 goals in 13 games in the Bundesliga.
“He’s a top player. He’s second to Lewandowski in the goalscoring charts. I think he’s the right age at 25, £40million is good money for him,” Palmer said to Give Me Sport.
“When I say it’s not massive money, he’s not like your £200,000, £300,000-per-week player, he’ll fall into their budget. They need some backup for Michail Antonio, they’re too heavily reliant on Michail. When Michail’s out the side, they tend to struggle a little bit.”
Mouth-watering
The thought of Schick partnering up with Antonio is enough to give most Premier League defenders nightmares and there is a real chance it could happen.
It would, of course, take a lot for the powers that be at the London Stadium to splash such a mammoth price tag on him but given the potential for success, if he makes the move, it is surely a no brainer.
2021 has seen the Czech find a new lease of life and you can only see that continuing if he were to move to England.
Having the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma provide Antonio and Schick with chances to score could be the catalyst that lifts West Ham beyond top-four chasers to top-four regulars.
Compatriots Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and Alex Kral will no doubt be working to convince Schick to make the move with the Champions League in sight.
In other West Ham news, this trio could return to action against Manchester United this weekend.