According to a recent exclusive report by the Daily Star, Premier League outfit West Ham United are claimed to be the latest English club to enter the race for the signature of prodigious German international defender Robin Koch. The report suggests that David Moyes is keen to add some young talent to his Hammers squad and that the highly-rated Koch is firmly on the former Manchester United manager’s agenda for the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report further claims that the Hammers’ Premier League rivals Tottenham and Norwich City, and even Championship leaders Leeds United, have all expressed their desire to sign the youngster. They are all said to have had scouts watch the defender’s performances along the course of the campaign. But the report now suggests that the centre-half’s representatives have been told to update David Moyes about any developments regarding the player’s position at the club.
What Has West Ham’s Defensive Situation Been This Season?
West Ham United had a pretty terrible start to their league campaign, and it perhaps didn’t come as too much of a surprise when the board decided to give up on Manuel Pellegrini and instead went on to appoint former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes. Although the experienced gaffer has had a positive impact, there will surely be a couple of areas on the pitch that he would still be concerned about.
One of those roles is definitely at centre-half, as the Hammers possess just three recognised central defenders in their team. Although 19-year-old Gonçalo Cardozo remains an option, he’s still far too young to be depended upon regularly. While Issa Diop has been a shining light at the back, it must be conceded that Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena have been far from assured whenever they’ve been given the opportunity. The addition of a quality centre-half would make a lot of sense for a team with aspirations as big as West Ham.
Why The Hammers Must Move For Koch In The Summer?
The fact that a club like Tottenham, with Jose Mourinho as a manager, are interested in the defender is enough proof about his quality. The centre-half is still only 23 and has his best years ahead of him, while the fact that he’s one of the most talented defenders in the Bundesliga will come as an added advantage. Rather monumental in stature, the German international tends to maintain a composed head, irrespective of the situation at hand.
The youngster has started in 24 league fixtures for Freiburg this season and averages under one foul every game, thereby highlighting the discipline he would add to the Hammers’ back-line. More importantly, though, the German tends to make just under four clearances every time he steps onto the pitch. While his height is a distinct advantage, the fact that Koch is an orthodox defender with brilliant physical attributes would be a considerable boost to David Moyes and his plans for the East London side next season.
