‘The way he’s going…’ – Andy Gray shares verdict on future of West Ham loanee Dawson
Andy Gray has called on West Ham to exercise their option to turn Craig Dawson’s loan into a permanent deal after his terrific recent displays in Claret and Blue.
Dawson joined the Irons on a season-long loan from Watford in October and the club retain the right to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.
He got off to a slow start and did not actually make his debut until December 29 versus Southampton but he has enjoyed a Premier League renaissance since then, starting every one of the seven subsequent league games and scoring twice, as well as bagging the winner in the FA Cup third-round victory over Stockport County on January 11.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS [06/02/21] former Everton striker Gray outlined why Dawson deserves a permanent contract, saying: “The way he’s going about it defensively plus he chips in with the goals…”
Gray added: “He looks a fit kid as well so would you give him another 12 months after this? I think you bet you would, he’s the right sort as well.”
Such form from Dawson has helped inspire the Irons to fifth in the Premier League as they chase European football next term.
Stunning impact
The numbers behind Dawson’s recent inclusion in the team are highly impressive.
In eight Premier League appearances West Ham have kept four clean sheets.
To put this into perspective they had kept four clean sheets in the first 15 games of the season.
According to Wyscout he has won 68.3% of his defensive duels in the Premier League which ranks him 25th overall and he has an aerial success rate of 56.4%.
The impact he has made has been huge and he has also chipped in with goals in successive games against Crystal Palace and Liverpool at the end of January.
With Fabian Balbuena out of contract at the end of the season and Issa Diop seemingly out-of-favour under David Moyes surely it is a matter of when, not if, Dawson puts ink on paper to secure a permanent move to the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, Irons reportedly keeping tabs on 17-goal Championship hot-shot.