Simon Stone reacts to reports linking West Ham United with Timo Werner move in January
Simon Stone believes it is “hardly a shock” to see West Ham linked with a move for RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner in January.
Writing on the BBC Sport website on Wednesday (29 November), the journalist said the reports that the Hammers want to sign the 27-yea-old German international highlight the club’s inability to bring in a striker who can “produce on a consistent basis” following the failed big-money transfers of Sebastian Haller and Gianluca Scamacca.
He added that the Irons need to sign a forward who can “make a productive impact” as they haven’t had anyone score more than 20 goals in a season since Marlon Harewood in the 2004/05 campaign.
“Suggestions of West Ham interest in former Chelsea striker Timo Werner were hardly a shock,” said Stone. “But it also highlights a seeming inability of the Hammers to find a centre-forward who can produce on a consistent basis.
“With Michail Antonio’s future uncertain – and, for all his promise, consistency can hardly be expected of 19-year-old Divin Mubama – West Ham need to sign a striker who can make a productive impact.
“Not since 2004-05 have West Ham had someone who scored more than 20 goals in a single season – and most of Marlon Harewood’s that year came in the Championship.”
Not good enough
The record for forwards over the years at West Ham is, quite frankly, absolutely shocking given some of the money that has been spent.
Scamacca and Haller have both been successful at most of the other clubs they have been at, suggesting that it is a Hammers problem rather than just being down to the players.
Neither of that duo were really David Moyes’ type of forwards as, despite their relatively large stature, they both prefer to play with the ball at their feet.
That is why Michail Antonio has been so successful under the Irons boss over the past few years because his game is mostly built around power and strength, rather than being good on the ball and looking to score goals.
But the club seriously have to look to bring in a new forward who can occupy the role for a number of years and, unlike his predecessors, actually find the back of the net on a regular basis.
In other West Ham news, the club are in the hunt to sign an “outstanding” Euro star.