In a recent report, The Sun has mentioned that West Ham United are keeping a keen eye on Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer. It is believed that the Hammers boss David Moyes is a big admirer of the Serbian marksman’s talents ahead of a potential move in this off-season (via The Sun).
Mitrovic’s Lacklustre Season At Craven Cottage
The Smederevo-born frontman endured an underwhelming season with the Cottagers as he struggled to find consistency in terms of his goal-scoring in the Premier League. Mitrovic registered just four goals and four assists in 31 matches for the London outfit in the previous campaign across various competitions.
The 26-year-old failed to find the cutting edge in the final third based on his average of 2.2 shots, 0.9 key passes and 0.3 dribbles per game in the English top-flight. He also needs to improve his accuracy when distributing the ball after making 73.5% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
At 26, Mitrovic is still waiting to prove his worth at the highest level. However, he could flourish playing in West Ham head coach David Moyes’ system as he will have more creative players around him and could serve as an ideal deputy to Michail Antonio at the London Stadium. Mitrovic’s current contract at Craven Cottage is set to expire in the summer of 2024, so it won’t be easy for the Hammers to sign him this summer.
What Will The Serbia International Bring To The London Stadium?
Mitrovic can use his powerful 1.89m frame to dominate the opposition centre-backs in the air which makes him a good target man up top. He is an aerial threat from indirect set-pieces and also packs a lot of venom with his shot attempts.
However, the 64-time Serbia international struggled to be productive in the 2020-21 Premier League campaign, so he might be a risky acquisition for West Ham to consider this summer. He can also give away the ball cheaply at times which can sometimes make him a liability on the field.
Mitrovic could be a potent weapon for Moyes to utilise off the bench due to his aerial prowess. Plus, he will also bring some bite and steel to the East London club’s frontline that might help them compete across all competitions in the coming seasons. With all things considered, Moyes should consider engineering a cut-price move to land Mitrovic ahead of the new season.
