According to a recent report by The Daily Mail, West Ham United have monitored the development of Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Dion Sanderson and are planning to check in on him when the season resumes later this summer. The same source has also revealed that the Hammers are not the only club keeping tabs on the youngster as Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion and Norwich City are also scouting the English centre-back, who is currently playing on loan at Cardiff City.
Sanderson’s Impressive Loan Spell At Cardiff
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a productive loan stay at the Cardiff City Stadium after putting in a string of commanding displays as part of Neil Harris’ backline. He has featured in 19 matches for the Bluebirds this term, scoring one goal while providing two assists in all competitions which goes to prove that he can contribute at both ends of the field.
Sanderson has averaged 1.7 tackles, 2.7 interceptions and 2.7 clearances per 90 minutes in the EFL Championship this season (stats via whoscored). He has also made 0.7 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game in league football as he has often been used as a right-back in recent weeks (stats via whoscored). His numbers shed some light on how influential he has been for the Bluebirds during this campaign.
The Wolves academy starlet has a very bright future in English football so the Hammers will do well to lure him to the English capital this summer. The young sensation can also benefit from a change of scenery if Nuno Espirito Santo refuses to offer him regular first-team football in the Premier League next season.
What Does The English Wonderkid Offer On The Pitch?
Sanderson is quick and agile enough to make some penetrative runs with the ball down the right flank. He is also a dominant presence inside his own half and can win his fair share of 50-50 aerial duels with the opposition. The Championship rising star has transformed himself into a solid defender this season as he can scan the danger to pull off a few vital interceptions and last-gasp clearances for his team.
Should The Hammers Table An Offer For Sanderson?
Recruiting a player of Sanderson’s potential will undeniably be a shrewd move for the Hammers in the long-run. He has all the skillset required to become a grand success at the London Stadium, so it makes a lot of sense for David Moyes to orchestrate a move to land him in the off-season.
Sanderson will provide some much-needed competition for the likes of Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Fabián Balbuena for a regular starting role at the heart of the West Ham defence. He is primarily a centre-back but has often been used as a right-back this season. Hence, the English starlet can also compete with Pablo Zabaleta and Ryan Fredericks for a right-back berth when they are not performing well on the pitch.
Having Sanderson on board will give Moyes the option to experiment with different formations so that he can find a winning formula at East London. The Wolves whizkid will be a player to look out for in the future and his versatility to play in multiple defensive positions make him a worthy target for West Ham to consider before the start of the new campaign.
