Whilst the domestic season may have finished and [West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-eye-french-super-talent-at-just-8m-report/) fans spared having to endure any further agony of 2024-5’s “festival of mediocrity”, the summer internationals are in full swing. Was I the only one who observed a distinct similarity between Thomas Tuchel’s lacklustre England team and Potter’s Hammers? Boring, slow, plodding build-ups with no pace or penetration. Against Andorra for heavens sake. “Just like watching West Ham’ then crowd should have sung.
Elsewhere Switzerland trounced CONCACAF Nations League winners Mexico 4 -2 in a friendly, notable principally because of the opening goal from Hammers’ striker target [Breel Embrolo.](https://www.claretandhugh.info/explosive-pace-a-composed-finisher-hammers-sniff-out-bargain-striker/)
Displaying both pace and goal-scoring penetration, Embrolo was first on the score sheet after running half the pitch, rounding the keeper and defeating a full back on the line with a cooly taken pass into the far corner of Mexico’s net . All very impressive from one described as a burly ‘Antonio 2.0’ striker – in truth his finish was much too assured for an ‘Antonio’ clone. ( _In fairness Mikey was notoriously shaky in latter day one-on-one’s with the ‘keeper and on occasion had the finesse of touch of a Brontosaurus_ ) .
The Cameroon-born Swiss forward certainly set Switzerland on their way to an accomplished away victory looking every inch the finished product.
Linked back on May with interest from West Ham, Embrolo at a reported £55k a week would cost no more than the Hammers’ infamous Maxi Cornet but would provide value for money and robust striker options – with a reported €12 million price tag.
Convincing him to abandon Champions League football at Monaco might be the tricky part. With Antonio’s £90k a week off the books now, West Ham’s management have wiggle room to spare to attract the 28 year old to London. Let’s hope his cool finish gets him higher up the leader board on Kyle Macaulay’s whiteboard and spreadsheets,.