Manuel Pellegrini may have missed out on a couple of his transfer targets in the summer but West Ham United are still in need of players for certain roles in the squad. One such player, who has now opened up about his failed move to London is Ajax star, Joël Veltman.
Speaking to Dutch news outfit NOS, the experienced defender revealed that he wants to play outside the Netherlands but that he was not allowed to leave in the summer.
In this interview, Veltman claimed that he is still open for a move so should The Hammers retain their interest in this player?
Veltman’s Story
Having joined Ajax’s academy as a kid back in 2001, Veltman has never left the club, making 160 league appearances in the top flight in the Netherlands.
He made his international debut in 2013 and has 19 caps for his country but he missed a great chunk of the last few seasons with two ligament injuries.
While such injuries often deflate players, Veltman showed that he is a fighter and managed to cement a place in the first team for both club and country in the last few months.
A versatile defender who can play at right-back or at the heart of the defence, Veltman is a smart player, who always seems to be a step ahead in reading the game. He hardly hurries into tackles and is calm with the ball at his feet.
His passing is usually productive while his ability to dominate his box in the air makes him an effective option for Ajax.
In his four starts in the Eredivisie this season, Veltman has registered 3.3 tackles and 3.3 clearances per game and has been one of the most consistent players for the club.
He does give away needless fouls at times but with quality players around him, he could be a real asset for even the best teams in England.
Should West Ham Retain Their Interest in Joel Veltman?
Pellegrini spent just around £3m on improving his defence in the summer. Goncalo Cardoso, at just 18, does not seem to have done enough to warrant a place in the first team, leaving West Ham a bit short of options at the back.
Winston Reid is still nursing his injury while Fabian Balbuena has been anything but impressive at the back. Issa Diop seems to have found some form alongside Angelo Ogbonna, who remains the only other centre-back that Pellegrini trusts.
This is one of the reasons they wanted to bring Veltman to London in the summer and having not found an alternative, it makes sense for West Ham to keep an eye on the Dutch international for the rest of the season.
Veltman’s experience at the highest stage along with his versatility and attributes make him a perfect fit for a Premier League club in desperate need of a defender. So unless West Ham can lure a more accomplished name to England, Veltman could be the right man for them next summer.