Which of the four strikers linked with West Ham would suit Bilic best?
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | August 25, 2016
Four strikers linked with West Ham
Injuries to forward trio Andre Ayew, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho have left West Ham United short on attacking options, and told as they failed to reach the Europa League group stage.
Irons boss Slaven Bilic, who should use this setback as evidence he requires a new signing. has shown a particular proclivity to play with a target man type striker up top throughout his coaching career.
Left now with just the aiming of once again challenging top English teams for domestic honours, Hammers odds for a top six Premier League finish are now 9/2 (from 3/1).
All this got Coral football experts thinking; which of these four strikers linked with West Ham would suit them best?
Simone Zaza
Juventus frontman Simone Zaza, 25, plays second fiddle to bigger names for club and country. A reserve option for the Azzurri behind former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle and Brazilian-born Eder at Euro 2016, he was also relatively peripheral as the Old Lady retained Serie A yet again.
If Zaza’s career is to really take off, he needs a move from Turin because of the big money transfer of Gonzalo Higuain to Juve. Italians at the Hammers always get comparisons drawn with popular mercurial talent Paolo Di Canio, but he’s more like Christian Vieri in style.
Loic Remy
Chelsea’s forgotten man Loic Remy also needs regular first-team football, but to revive his career aged 29 rather than kick-start it. The former France forward would seemingly be West Ham’s perfect local loan option, then, with him already settled in the capital.
Reports claim they’re in talks with the Blues to bring Remy in temporarily. When given the thumbs up like at QPR and Newcastle United, he scored 20 goals in 42 Premier League games. Remy’s more mobile than the typical Bilic frontman and that should add an extra dimension.
Wilfried Bony
Manchester City’s Ivory Coast international Wilfried Bony appears surplus to requirements at the Etihad, although Kelechi Ihenacho did pick up an injury when deputising for star striker Sergio Aguero last time out.
Bony’s switch from Swansea City in January 2015, although for the right price, looks very much now like a mistake, but Hammers odds in various markets would surely tumble if Pep Guardiola is still prepared to part with him.
Like Remy, Bony is another of the strikers linked with West Ham that has been prolific in the Premier League. In his only full season with the Swans he averaged a goal every other game. Bony is most like Carroll in style from among those Bilic is linked with buying or loaning in.
Carlos Bacca
AC Milan and Colombia hitman Carlos Bacca may have downplayed persistent rumours he will be the Hammers’ marquee summer signing and Bilic to have ruled out a move, but you cannot count club chiefs David Gold and David Sullivan out when it comes to pulling off a transfer coup.
Predatory instincts mean this South American star has already proven himself in La Liga with Sevilla and subsequently Serie A. Although compatriots such as Radamel Falcao may have flopped in the Premier League, this may be due to injuries. Bacca is a brilliant finisher, but turns 30 a week or so after the window shuts.
Verdict
Zaza and Bacca pose risks because of a lack of Premier League experience, so of all the attacking options West Ham are linked with, Remy or preferably Bony on loan would be Bilic’s best option.
Related
You’ll find more football features like this one on Coral’s dedicated page.
Hammers fans, you can have your say. Which of the strikers linked with West Ham do you want to see turning out in the Olympic Stadium?
