If reports are to be believed, West ham United are linked with a sensational move for Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure. After what has been a terribly disappointing season in the Premier League for the Hammers, the London club are in for some major reinforcements this summer. And given Toure’s uncertainty at Etihad Stadium next season with Pep Guardiola looking to instil more young blood, a possibility, though distant, is there.
Experiencing a topsy-turvy season, Slaven Bilic’s men have found little stability in the league, but they are nowhere near the target they had set coming into the season. The Hammers had finished a decent 5th last season getting qualified in the Europa League and a dramatic transfer season last summer.
Everything faded fast as no big names joined them and Bilic saw his side going out of the Europa League quite early. The loss affected the squad immensely and they never really recovered from it. It was worsened by the pathetic display of striker Simone Zaza, who had come on loan from Juventus and their star player, Dimitri Payet’s departure last winter.
West Ham did miraculously to get results going in their favour midseason, winning just enough games to survive relegation that looked a real possibility once. They sit in the 12th position of the league table now and with some favourable results from other teams, a top-half finish could be expected.
Toure, too, started the season with a delay as Guardiola decided to exclude him from his plans. An unfortunate season-ending injury to Ilkay Gundogan forced Guardiola to bring him back and he had an instant impact. And if West Ham manages to land him, they will be having one of the best players in the league in that role.
The Ivory Coast international joined Manchester City back in 2010 and has earned a legendary stature in the club. A giant presence in the middle of the park, the 33-year-old is a brilliant orchestrator and can direct the game extremely well. The immense strength blended with exquisitely controlled shooting and eye for the most improbable of passes makes him an invaluable asset for any side.
In the 296 games, he has played for City so far, he has scored 78 goals and assisted 48 times. And most of the goals have been very important in the two league titles City have won in the last six years. West Ham’s midfield will get a tremendous upgrade with his signing and with Bilic bringing in some quality forwards, the London club could be up for a big season yet again.
