The 2016-17 Premier League season hasn’t been anything spectacular for West Ham United and frankly speaking, it doesn’t come as a surprise. Slaven Bilic has failed to guide his outfit out of the clutches of mediocrity and stagnancy and the nothing more than a mid-table finish could possibly be expected from his side at the moment. Another season of abject performances, another season of dismantling attitude: can the Croatian’s reign really blossom into something spectacular at all?
Above anything else, it has to be noted that the attacking arsenal of the Hammers hasn’t really worked so far this season. Finding the back of the net has seemingly appeared to be a very tough ask for Bilic’s side. A side which talks of crawling into the lucrative European spots have merely accumulated 34 goals from 25 outings, leaving a lot to be desired and undoubtedly, the gaffer has some big issues to solve and make the necessary ramifications.
Apparently, Bilic is believed to have put Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun on his radar as a prospectively gettable target in the summer transfer window, according to reports in Turkey. The 25-year-old, despite starting the season as a second fiddle, has put in stellar performances in the Turkish Super Lig and has finally cemented his stature as the forefront of the Black Eagles. In West Ham United’s pursuit of acquiring a sensational striker, Tosun certainly ticks a lot of boxes.
The Turkish international is a striker with immense pedigree and has shown that he is more than capable of leading a top quality side. Strong, mobile and fast, Tosun holds the ball well up front, draws the team forward, chips in with some delightful passes and is quite clinical to, say the least. Bilic has lost his superstar Dimitri Payet and there is an urgent need of someone who wouldn’t refrain from shooting from distance and grab the headlines.
In 21 league appearances in the top tier of Turkey, the former Gaziantepspor forward has managed 14 goals and created 14 chances and his pass accuracy of 72%, being a frontman, isn’t too bad either. Besides, he has the experience of European nights as well as the Champions League, which should come handy for the London-based outfit. Frankly speaking, the Hammers would strike gold should they successfully lure him into their squad next season and should start plotting a move behind the scenes before bigger fishes circling around him pounce upon.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
