After a mediocre start to the campaign, West Ham United have managed to do enough to keep themselves in the top flight for another season. The number of injuries to first team players has surely affected their chances of a better finish and Slaven Bilic, the current manager is already making plans to make sure that this does not repeat next season.
Brazilian winger Jonathan Cafu is the latest name on the radar of the London club. According to reports from the Express, Bilic is ready to meet his valuation of around £10m this summer and is convinced that Cafu can be a solution to his problems next season. So, who is Cafu and what will he add to the squad at the Olympic Stadium?
Born and brought up in Brazil, Cafu started his youth career at Rio Claro. He played for a host of Brazilian clubs including Sao Paulo but moved to Ludogorets Razgrad back in 2015, where he found a home. In two years at the club, he moved to the senior squad and has already managed 45 appearances to date.
He has been in terrific form this season for the Bulgarian side picking up 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions this season. He is not close to landing an international cap but is more than capable of claiming his place in years to come. He is a versatile winger who can play as a number-9 or on the flanks and will be a perfect fit for West Ham.
Most comfortable playing on the right wing, Cafu was instrumental in his side’s run in the Champions League where he picked up four goals and five assists to his name, playing on the wing. He is a skilful player who knows his way past his man and his passing accuracy is commendable. He has a peculiar eye for goal and has the ability to setup his teammates with defence breaking passes consistently.
He is not a player who can turn things around single-handedly but is a player who will give his everything right until the end of the game. He is strong and adept at holding on the to the ball but being a Brazilian, he is more comfortable taking his man on rather than holding on to it for long periods.
The likes of Andre Ayew and Michail Antonio could be first choice wingers for West Ham next season and Cafu could be a superb option in this lineup. Both the players mentioned can also play as a false-9, making them as versatile as Cafu and if Bilic can get the three to play together, it will be one of the most exciting attacks in England. But do you think Bilic should spend around £10m on this unproven star from Ludogorets Razgrad?
