Surridge has been superb in MLSplaceholder image
Surridge has been superb in MLS | Getty Images
West Ham still need to add another striker after the signing of Callum Wilson this week.
West Ham should consider signing a striker English football may have forgotten about to finish off their strikers’ room. The Hammers signed Callum Wilson this week to add much-needed depth and competition for Niclas Fullkrug, who struggled with injuries during his first season at the club.
Wilson is an experienced hand, and Graham Potter spoke of his delight at the capture. He told club media: “We are pleased to welcome Callum to West Ham United. He is a proven, experienced Premier League striker, with a great work ethic and a fantastic goalscoring record. He also has excellent character and personality, which is such an important factor, and something that we place a big emphasis on with our player recruitment.
“We have built a really good spirit and environment around the squad, and Callum will only strengthen and enhance that. He will be a good influence, especially on our young attacking players, and brings leadership qualities.
“I know that Callum is determined to make a really positive contribution to West Ham United, and we are all looking forward to working with him.”
Wilson and Fullkrug will offer two solid options, but West Ham need another frontman, especially given Fullkrug’s recent injury history and the fact Wilson is 33 years of age.
West Ham should consider Surridge
There will be options aplenty, but one almost no one will be talking about is Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge. Surridge joined Nashville after scoring eight times in 37 league games for Nottingham Forest, and he has come to life in the US.
Surridge has 32 goals in 62 games in MLS for Nashville, and he has 18 league goals so far this season, level with Lionel Messi at the top of the goalscoring charts. Naturally, MLS is a lower standard than the Premier League, even with the standard improving all the time, but Surridge was superb in a friendly with Aston Villa this week, providing a superb assist and scoring with a brilliant finish to help Nashville complete a comeback from two down to draw.
The striker is in red-hot form, and his hold-up and build-up play this season has been as good as his scoring ability. The 27-year-old has looked unstoppable this season, and he could go into the Premier League season with that form under his belt, given the American season is now 25 games deep.
The Englishman knows the English game and has the physicality to compete in the Premier League, and his age means he is now hitting his prime years. Surridge may not be first choice starting quality for West Ham, but he is a perfect fit to compete with and fill in for Fullkrug. Potter likes hold-up strikers who can get involved in build-up play, as shown by his admiration for Evan Ferguson, and Surridge is certainly the type of player who would fit that role, not to mention he would be a very affordable signing at a time when West Ham need to spend money elsewhere.
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