Carlton Palmer slams West Ham for Diangana sale
Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer has criticised West Ham for selling winger Grady Diangana to West Brom over the summer.
Following a successful loan spell at The Hawthorns last season, the 22-year-old made the permanent move in September for a fee that could rise to £18million [Express & Star].
At the time, the decision to let him go was criticised by club captain Mark Noble, and Palmer echoed the words of the 33-year-old.
“Mark Noble’s come out, and a lot of players at West Ham are really disappointed that he’s been allowed to leave,” Palmer told This is Futbol.
“I mean, they’re looking at the fact that he’s been at the club since he’s been 10 years of age. The coaching staff have brought him on, and then they’ve sold him on at a time when you think the boy’s developing, maybe could have been on the bench or whatever.”
In 30 matches for West Brom last season Diangana scored eight goals and provided six assists (via WhoScored), generating plenty of excitement among West Ham fans about his potential.
However, they decided to sell him and reinvest the funds, and while the loss of an academy graduate is a blow, they have recruited well.
Jarrod Bowen has scored three goals already this term and Said Benrahma has looked dangerous following a couple of short cameos.
In Diangana’s position on the wing, they also have Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals who have made strong starts to the season.
Going forward, depending on Diangana’s development, the decision could come to look misguided. However, they earned a significant fee for a player who is yet to prove himself at the Premier League level.
In other West Ham news, this 26-year-old star is struggling and it needs Moyes to rethink.