WHZ View: West Ham would be wise to make move for Masuaku replacement
Rico Henry is a name that has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, and a January move to West Ham would represent smart business from the Hammers as they bid to add cover to their squad.
The Athletic’s Nick Miller believes his list of suitors will only grow in January, with West Ham reportedly still interested in the left-back, after Arthur Masuaku’s recent injury issues.
After coming calling for Said Benrahma from Brentford in the last transfer window, the Hammers are tipped to return to the Championship promotion hopefuls, and The Athletic’s Nick Miller believes he could be perfect for a number of Premier League sides.
In a series profiling EFL transfer targets, The Athletic’s Miller says, “If anyone needs an attacking left-back, able to play as wing-back and probably a winger if you asked him to, with energy, pace and a keen defensive awareness, Henry is your man — and there aren’t too many clubs, in the bottom half of the Premier League particularly, who don’t fall into that category.
“West Ham were reportedly keen in the summer, Aston Villa too, and come January, the queue will undoubtedly grow.”
With an injury to Masuaku causing West Ham boss David Moyes to alter his tactical set-up, a January move for Henry seems like a smart piece of business.
The attacking talents of Masuaku have allowed Moyes to line up in a 5-2-3 formation this season, with the Congo DR international raiding down the left side to great effect.
Without Masuaku in the side, however, West Ham have reverted to four at the back, with Aaron Cresswell shifting across to left back in recent games to Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Leeds.
Cresswell’s talents, though, do not align with Masuaku’s, and the Hammers clearly lose some attacking thrust down that side when the 31-year-old is forced to cover.
This is where a move for Henry makes sense. At 23-years-old, Henry is at the perfect age to develop and offer similar qualities to those that Masuaku has to offer.
Henry has two assists and a goal to his name in the Championship this season, and has thrived in Brentford’s attacking system since Thomas Frank’s appointment as manager in 2018.
While there might be some doubt placed on his defensive capabilities, given the step up in quality to the Premier League, lining up in the left wing-back role could suit Henry, and allow him the necessary cover at the back as he becomes accustomed to Moyes and his training methods.
It would also allow the Hammers cover in a vital area of the pitch, meaning the Hammers are not forced to change adjust their formation, in light of an injury to Masuaku.
In other West Ham news, Tony Cottee lavishes praise on Hammers ‘best footballer’ Manuel Lanzini.