The quantity 9 concern at West Ham has been a constant matter over time and given the numerous accidents to the likes of Michail Antonio, Niclas Füllkrug and even Jarrod Bowen, it has led to a really seemingly busy finish to the January window, because the Hammers race to make a ahead signing.
Fortunately for Graham Potter, Lucas Paqueta has been a revelation, taking part in as a little bit of a false-nine, making issues stick from lengthy balls as much as him, drifting to assist the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Carlos Soler and linking every little thing collectively for the aspect.
However on the finish of this window, Paqueta might be able to return to a task taking part in off the left, ought to West Ham handle to recruit extra of a goal man profile upfront, with loads of gamers being linked to fill that function this month.
West Ham new striker earlier than the deadline
In line with reports from Italy, West Ham are excited by signing Napoli ahead, Giancomo Raspadori, having had earlier curiosity within the Italian again in 2022 when he was taking part in for Sassuolo.
It is instructed that West Ham have already ‘made strikes’ to know what it will take to conclude a deal.
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The final time West Ham signed an Italian striker who had performed for Sassuolo, it did not fairly work out, with Gianluca Scamacca playing just 27 games for the club, scoring eight targets in 1,342 minutes performed, after becoming a member of the membership for a fee of around £35.5m. Thus, Raspadori could possibly be their likelihood to flip the scripts, fixing their quantity 9 concern as soon as and for all.
Raspadori has made 14 appearances for Napoli this season, scoring only one objective, offering one help and totalling 515 minutes performed. His restricted minutes could possibly be what presents the chance for the 24-year-old eager to show himself as a starter.
How Raspadori compares to West Ham goal Evan Ferguson
One other participant who’s being linked with a transfer to West Ham this month is Brighton forward Evan Ferguson, who has solely managed 14 appearances so far this season, scoring one objective and totalling 373 minutes performed.
The Seagulls ahead is named among the best younger strikers within the Premier League so is Raspadori a match for the Irishman? We have crunched the numbers.
|
Raspadori (2023/24) vs Ferguson (2023/24) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90 minutes) |
Raspadori |
Ferguson |
|
Targets |
0.28 |
0.31 |
|
Assists |
0.14 |
0.05 |
|
xG |
0.30 |
0.28 |
|
xAG |
0.23 |
0.03 |
|
Progressive Carries |
1.72 |
0.80 |
|
Progressive Passes |
3.28 |
0.86 |
|
Photographs Whole |
3.38 |
1.98 |
|
Key Passes |
2.06 |
0.34 |
|
Shot-Creating Actions |
4.22 |
1.31 |
|
Aerial Duels Received |
0.39 |
0.80 |
|
Stats taken from FBref |
||
While the gamers are various kinds of strikers, Raspadori being 5 foot 7 and Ferguson being 6 foot, each gamers provide a reasonably full set of abilities as a centre-forward.
Ferguson being barely greater and having a bulkier body makes him simpler in aerial duels and within the field, however Raspadori does provide the next shot quantity and much more progressive actions in the course of the build-up part.
A cross is taken into account progressive if the gap between the place to begin and the following contact is at the very least 10 meters nearer to the opponent’s objective or any accomplished cross into the penalty space.
Marco Rossi labelled Raspadori as a “strong footballer” again in 2022, anticipating him to be the way forward for Napoli. He has proven glimpses for each membership and nation, however an prolonged run to seek out his confidence once more could possibly be what lastly unlocks him to his true potential.
With a greater harm document than Ferguson, the potential to make it a everlasting deal and a willingness to show folks mistaken, Raspadori may show to be the right signing for Potter’s West Ham aspect, taking them to the following stage.
Judging by the numbers, he actually seems like a greater all-round bundle than Brighton’s younger striker.
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