In a recent report, Sport claimed that West Ham United are facing stiff competition for Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite this summer. It is understood that the Hammers will have to rival Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley and Norwich City in the race to land the Dutch striker during this summer transfer period (via Sport).
Braithwaite’s Limited Role At The Nou Camp
The Esbjerg-born talent impressed in patches for Barca last season as he was responsible for putting in some decent displays as a part of Ronald Koeman’s attack. Braithwaite scored seven goals and earned four assists in 42 appearances for the Catalan giants in the previous campaign in multiple competitions.
Most of the Dutch sensation’s game time came as a substitute which explains why he only averaged 0.8 shots, 0.4 key passes and 0.3 dribbles per game in the 2020-21 La Liga campaign. Still, he deserves credit for being tidy with his ball distribution after completing 82.2% of his attempted passes in the Spanish top tier (stats via whoscored).
The lack of game time has hampered Braithwaite’s progress, so he could be enticed with the opportunity to join the Hammers this summer. He will undoubtedly add some competition for Michail Antonio who remains David Moyes’ only recognized senior centre-forward at the London Stadium.
Will Braithwaite Be A Good Fit For West Ham?
Braithwaite has decent pace in his locker and can make some clever runs with the ball in the attacking third. He can also chip in by scoring a few important goals for his team as he is a composed finisher in front of the opponent’s goal. The Dutch sensation is not shy of setting up a chance for his teammates when they are in a more advantageous position inside the opposition penalty box. However, he can be a bit inconsistent at times which makes him a risky option for the Hammers to consider this summer.
Moyes is in dire need to add more competition for Antonio, so an experienced striker like Braithwaite could be a good addition to his squad. He has the potential to be a reliable goal-getter for the East London outfit as long as he can make a smooth transition to Premier League football.
Moyes can also expect Braithwaite to form a dangerous attacking partnership with Antonio if he is planning to play with two strikers up top in the upcoming campaign. With all things considered, the Barca marksman will be a decent fit for West Ham as long as they are planning to give him time to prove his worth at the English capital in the coming seasons.
