Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes that winger Grady Diangana could become a big part of manager David Moyes’ plans at West Ham next season.
The attacker is currently on loan at West Bromwich Albion and was enjoying a successful spell before a hamstring injury in December, per Transfermarkt, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 21 appearances. The Baggies are also doing very well in the Championship, as they are second in the league and six points clear of third, via BBC Sport.
Speaking to Football Insider about the winger, Whelan said: “I do not think David Moyes has seen enough of him. I think he will want to. He will want people he can trust, rely on and win him football matches.
“Moyes has steadied the ship and I think they will be OK.
“From the start of next season, he will want to look at every single player and make his decision off of the back of preseason. He could be there and be a big part of the plans for David Moyes.”
It is hard to disagree with Whelan here, the Englishman has a huge preseason ahead of him when football resumes to prove himself, but everything looks in place for him to succeed and be a big part of the Hammers’ next Premier League campaign.
It has already been reported that Moyes is keen to use the player, according to Claret & Hugh, whilst it has also been rumoured that both Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson will be allowed to leave the club in the summer.
This means that the 21 year-old, per Transfermarkt, might have less competition and his attacking statistics also highlight that he can offer an attacking threat for the Irons. He is averaging 1.3 key passes, 1.5 shots and 2.3 successful dribbles per game, which is more Yarmolenko (1, 1.3, 0.4) albeit in a lower division, whilst the Brazilian only betters him on successful dribbles per game, (1.1, 1, 2.8,) via WhoScored.
It would be interesting to see how he can impact a squad with Premier League quality players around him, but it does look like this is the best chance for the Englishman to succeed in East London, and the confidence highlighted by his attacking statistics could be the exact catalyst West Ham need so that next campaign they are looking at the teams above them rather than the ones below them.
The fact they are 16th and only two points away from 19th has not gone down with supporters but hopefully with players like Diangana, this can change in the upcoming seasons.
West Ham fans, would you like to see Diangana around the first team next season?