According to latest reports, West Ham United have shown interest in Hamburg defender Johan Djourou as the Swiss international runs out of his contract with the club at the end of this season. West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic has had a gruelling time this season as his team seems to end the Premier season fighting for a place in the top half, despite starting the season as a Europa League contenders.
Owing to ineffective summer transfers, West Ham United have repeatedly been hit by bad form and injuries this season as they could win only nine league games out of the 29 they have played. Bilic aims to strengthen his team for next season and defence is one of their prime areas of concern.
The Hammers have conceded a whopping 52 goals this season and are really lucky to hold the 12th position in the league. After a prudent winter shopping that has pretty much brought a stability to the side, Bilic wishes to continue it in the coming summer. One look at the Hammer’s injury list and one would understand how deep in water Bilic is standing at the moment.
The London club currently has nine players sidelined with injuries, out of which three are centre-backs of the available five in that position. Bilic only has James Collins and their latest recruit Jose Fonte, fit as they resume their Premier League campaign next week.
And at a time when even having five centre-backs doesn’t seem enough for the club, the 30-year-old enforcer, who didn’t have the best of Premier League stints, looks like a brilliant option. Djourou is immensely experienced in English football as he has spent six seasons with Arsenal, from 2007-2013.
An academy product of Swiss side Etoile Carouge FC, Arsenal picked him up back in 2003. Coming up through the ranks of the North London club, Djourou had a short loan stint with Birmingham City before breaking into the Arsenal team. After he couldn’t win anything with the Gunners, his impressive loans stint with Hannover 96 and Hamburg led the latter to buy him in 2013.
He has since then played 104 times for Hamburg in which he has scored twice and assisted the same. At 191cm, Djourou could be the safest player to have on the pitch from set-pieces. He excels at blocking the ball and has surprisingly good dribbling skills. West Ham United could have an experienced core of defenders in Djourou, Fonte and Winston Reid next season if he decides to join the London club.
Crystal Palace had tried luring the player last winter but failed as Hamburg didn’t agree to part ways with him midseason. It is, however, very much a possibility now.
