David Moyes has done a pretty good job at West Ham United after taking over but it’s clear that he needs better players if the side are to push on in the future. It was a bit odd that the Hammers didn’t sign proven players in the January transfer window and roped in Patrice Evra a few days ago.
Come summer, though, we could have a different story. Reports indicate that Barcelona are open to selling West Ham United target Andre Gomes. The Hammers were interested in the player last January but failed to land the Portuguese international.
Gomes has been restricted to substitute appearances for the Blaugrana and needs regular game time elsewhere if he is to resurrect his career.
Gomes – stats and fact file
The 24-year old has managed just four starts in the league so far and hasn’t mustered a single goal or assist which is a bit disappointing.
After impressing at Valencia in the 2015-16 season, Barcelona paid an initial fee of €35 million for the midfielder. The side signed quite a few young players back then – Lucas Digne, Paco Alcacer and Gomes – as they were clearly shaping a team for the future. However, none of those have been able to impress consistently.
Gomes made his debut for Portugal in 2014 and played a key role in their European Championship winning run in 2016, so he does have the talent.
What will he offer West Ham?
Gomes is a pretty impressive passer of the ball which is why Barcelona made the move for him. Owing to the pressure and the options available at Barcelona, he hasn’t been given a run of games to impress consistently, though.
If he joins the Hammers, he needs to be played alongside a holding midfielder. Gomes isn’t the best when it comes to tackling or winning the ball back, so his best ability is to control the tempo on the game from the midfield owing to his range of passing and composure on the ball.
Mark Noble has done that for the Hammers for quite a while but his powers are fading and he isn’t getting any younger, so Gomes could be the ideal replacement. He is still just 24, so he has the time on his side to impress.
West will have to act quickly in the summer as Tottenham wanted to sign him last summer and could be interested again come July.