ITV pundits thrilled by West Ham winger Andriy Yarmolenko
West Ham winger Andriy Yarmolenko earned high praise from a couple of ITV pundits on Monday evening, despite a near-miss that could cost Ukraine dearly.
The 31-year-old lined up for his national side against Austria in their third and final Group C fixture of Euro 2020, knowing a point would send them through to the knock-out stages.
However, Austria won 1-0 through a first-half Christoph Baumgartner goal, and Yarmolenko was guilty of failing to find the target in the same half when he didn’t connect properly after Daniel Bachmann made a save.
Speaking on ITV [21/06/21], pundits Eni Aluko and Mark Pougatch hailed the Irons forward despite his inability to score.
“It’s unfortunate there, that’s a tap in but it just bounces up,” Aluko said.
Pougatch replied: “That left-footed goal he scored against the Netherlands, wonderful. It was one of the best goals of the tournament.”
Aluko: “It was a great goal, he’s had a good tournament.”
Failed at the final hurdle?
Yarmolenko was one of the stars of the first two matchdays of Euro 2020, scoring in games against the Netherlands and North Macedonia while also registering an assist against the latter.
However, he was unable to inspire his national side past a resolute Austria, though it wasn’t through much fault of his own as he shouldered much of the attacking burden.
He really looks to come alive in a Ukraine shirt, showing form we’ve not really seen for the Irons.
That’s likely down to his constant injuries as well as form of attackers around him, but Euro 2020 has shown his star quality, and he could still be a big hit at the London Stadium.
However, coming to the latter years of his playing days, he may look elsewhere for playing opportunities, though Europa League football next season could open up more chances.
In other West Ham news, a £17.1million bid could be enough to prise this Euro 2020 star away from his club.
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