Said Benrahma must call time on his West Ham United career, David Moyes has surely had enough
West Ham United attacker Said Benrahma must call time on his London Stadium career in January as David Moyes has surely had enough of him after yet another snub this week.
The former Brentford forward has started just 10 games in all competitions so far this season with just 460 minutes of Premier League action under his belt since the new campaign got underway, this after playing an integral role throughout last season, featuring in 50-odd games.
Former Eurosport journalist Dean Jones, speaking to GiveMeSport on 29 September insisted that the Algerian international is “feeling let down” at his current role in East London, such is the fierce competition in Moyes’ squad right now.
While the Algerian international may be quelling the need to lash out every time he isn’t picked in the Hammers starting line-up, it’s always been a problem of his at the club given his lack of consistency.
The former Brentford man will feel Moyes is ruining his chance at developing and improving his game through match experience and there may well be chances to achieve that elsewhere.
Reputable French news outlet L’Equipe reported on 8 December that French Ligue 1 side Lyon want to sign him in January as they look to steer clear of the drop zone.
It is reported that Lyon have identified both Benrahma and Nayef Aguerd as possible targets ahead of the January window and have been given €50m (£43million) to spend, however, any deal for both West Ham players will be “difficult” to do.
L’Equipe claim that contact has been made with Benrahma but it could prove difficult to persuade him to join a relegation battle.
While it may prove difficult for Lyon to persuade him to join given their current situation in Ligue 1, it’s of no surprise clubs are starting to show interest given his struggles at the London Stadium.
When West Ham United made Benrahma their third-most expensive player in 2021, signing from Brentford in a deal up to £30m, many fans thought the Algerian would go on to become the star player they needed after Dimitri Payet.
His tremendous highlight reels in West London were one of the main reasons the Irons signed him up then. Fast forward over two years, and Benrahma hasn’t hit the heights many expected despite the Europa Conference League win in June, instead becoming somewhat of an overrated commodity.
The 28-year-old would show flashes of his brilliance for some games and then go into hiding, but the latter part of 2023 has been a disaster with a single impressive performance from him non-existent.
In his two years at the club, Benrahma has gone on to bag 24 goals and 19 assists from 150 appearances [Transfermarkt] and given his current situation, it’s highly unlikely he’d make 10 more before the year is out which could derail his chances for feature for Algeria at the African Cup of Nations in January.
Benrahma was left on the bench for the second game running in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday (7 December) which surely means Moyes has had enough of him. He must call it quits in January.
In other West Ham news, Eintracht Frankfurt have identified one London Stadium defender as a top target in January.