Transfer season has once again started playing games with West Ham United. The Hammers have been linked yet again with numerous strikers and the latest name to emerge is Brentford’s forward Scott Hogan. As per reports, West Ham United and Watford are both plotting a bid for the striker.
The Hammers have hugely struggled in finding goals this season. After the failure of summer loanee Simone Zaza who moved from Juventus, Bilic had to deploy left back Michail Antonio as the striker who steadied the ship to some extent.
Hogan, however, could be a player who could provide the end product that Dimitri Payet and Lanzini are unable to find on a regular basis. Andy Carroll has just returned from injury and although he has provided some stability, he is not at his best.
Brentford has labelled Scott Hogan at £15m and West Ham United are more than capable of forking over such an amount. The former Rochdale striker is currently the Championship’s third highest goal scorer having 14 goals in 25 appearances. Brentford’s last victory over Birmingham City on Monday saw him scoring yet again.
Manager Dean Smith is understandably not keen on losing such an impactful player, but an offer from West Ham United might not leave them with a choice. What made Hogan a popular figure in Championship is his endurance. He had suffered a horrific injury in August 2014, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. He was lobotomized for long and Rochdale had to release him and he joined non-league side Woodley Sports.
He made an inspiring comeback again through the ranks of Woodley Sports, Halifax Town, Mossley and many other clubs. He regained his place in Rochdale before he finally moved to Brentford. Quite surprisingly, the injury hasn’t affected his flair and confidence by an ounce and he came and scored whenever he was asked to.
Although not the tallest of the players around, Hogan’s well-built physique more than achieves to unsettle the towering defenders and his brilliant positioning helps him get into right places at the right time. His hold up play has up front quite applauded by one and all.
With players like Payet, Ayew, Lanzini and Michail Antonio to play beside him, he could be a great match-winner for West Ham. But, not all Championship stars have been able to stand out in the Premier League and there is always be a concern about that. With Bilic already experiencing huge disappointment in Zaza, he should go for a more proven forward in the top-flight football.
