Dean Ashton slams ‘ridiculous’ Callum Wilson development after what he’s seen at West Ham
Callum Wilson will hope Nuno Espirito Santo gives him the nod as West Ham United face Leeds United on Friday.
The 33-year-old signed for the Hammers as a free agent in the summer, but a lack of opportunities has marred his time in E20.
Wilson signed a pay-as-you-play contract at the London Stadium and hasn’t featured in any of the Irons’ last three Premier League fixtures.
Nuno’s team will now travel to Elland Road to face Leeds on 24 October, and the English centre-forward’s situation will be one to keep an eye on.
West Ham should be ashamed if finances reason Callum Wilson isn’t playing
It would be “ridiculous” if financial issues are the reason the Hammers haven’t been playing Wilson, Dean Ashton says.
The former striker doesn’t understand why the Irons haven’t been relying on the English centre-forward at the London Stadium.
Ashton saw the ex-Newcastle United star cut a frustrated figure during the East London club’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal, and has urged Nuno to start him.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 24 October, the Englishman said: “Why Wilson isn’t playing is beyond me. If it’s a financial issue, I think that’s ridiculous. He seems fit. I watched him at the Emirates, he didn’t come on. He looked so annoyed. He did the running afterwards. If he’s fit, start him.”
David Sullivan may have a hand in Wilson not playing, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Hammers’ chief use his powers to do so as a cost-cutting measure.
Callum Marshall came on in the 2-0 loss to Brentford on 20 October while the former Bournemouth striker sat on the bench, and unless he’s injured, there’s no reason the England international should be that behind in the pecking order.
Nuno Espirito Santo guilty of his own demise at London Stadium
Niclas Fullkrug’s fitness issues have been frustrating for the London Stadium faithful, and the German striker has arguably been one of the worst signings in the Irons’ history.
While Nuno has come into a difficult situation at West Ham, he isn’t helping himself by playing Lucas Paqueta as his number nine while Wilson is sitting on the bench.
The Portuguese manager is risking his reputation at the East London club if he can’t help them avoid relegation this season.
With the prospect of going down to the Championship staring the Hammers in their face, they can’t afford not to use Wilson’s goalscoring quality.
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