Matt Grimes backs West Ham new signing Flynn Downes to shine in Premier League
Swansea City captain Matt Grimes believes that new West Ham United signing Flynn Downes is ready to shine in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old joined the Hammers from the Championship side for a reported fee of £12million earlier in the ongoing transfer window [BBC].
Grimes, while talking ahead of the season opener as quoted by Western Mail print edition on July 30 (page 53), admitted that he was “sad” to see the 23-year-old leave the club.
“I was sad to see him go, but it’s an absolute dream move for him,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier for him.
“I text him and rang him when he left just to say ‘thank you for everything you gave us for a year’. But he’s going to his boyhood club in the Premier League.
“It’s what dreams are made of and that’s a sign that playing under this manager and playing this style of football attracts the attention that you need to really kick on. He’s ready for the Prem, no doubt.”
Important addition
West Ham are preparing for their second successive season in Europe. As they are playing in four different domestic competitions, it is important that they have the squad depth to match their hefty schedule.
Even though reaching their first Europa League semi-final was a success, it also highlighted the loopholes they had within their squad. With the signings they have made so far, it looks like they are ready to compete across all fronts.
The signing of Downes adds to the positivity the Hammers are enjoying so far in this window. The 23-year-old prefers to play in the defensive midfield but can also play in a more central role, especially with new club captain Declan Rice already occupying the defensive midfield position.
The Brentwood-born midfielder had an impressive season for the Swans last time around where he played in 37 Championship fixtures and managed to score one and provided two assists in the process [Transfermarkt].