David Moyes believes Said Benrahma can bring extra dimension to West Ham
David Moyes believes Said Benrahma can bring an extra dimension to West Ham.
Algeria winger Benrahma completed a last-minute switch from Brentford on deadline day, understood to be worth up to £30million, despite a hitch with his medical.
The 25-year-old attracted interest from a host of Premier League clubs after scoring 17 goals in Brentford’s run to the Championship play-off final last season.
And Moyes made his move for some extra creativity after shipping out former record signing Felipe Anderson on loan to Porto.
“What I’m looking for is, he scored 17 goals last season, the season before 14 goals and something like 10 assists,” said the Hammers boss.
“So you’re asking me what I want him to bring to the club? I want him to bring these goals and these assists to the club.
“That’s what I see. Now granted, can he step up from the Championship to the Premier League? Well, that’s the bit. But that’s the level we asked the likes of Jarrod Bowen, can he do it?
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“Over the years of my career could Leighton Baines do it, could Phil Jagielka do it, could Tim Cahill do it, could Joleon Lescott do it?
“Could any of these boys step up from the Championship and become Premier League players so that would be the challenge for Said?
“But if he can bring his goals and his assists to our team, with what we’ve got at the moment it will be another extra dimension which we’ll bring to the team.
“The best example is Sheffield United who came up from the Championship, probably came up a couple of divisions, and were fantastic last year. None of the players looked out of place in the Premier League.
“So, I think the Championship has got good players, I’m not saying that every player is going to make it, and not all the ones I’ve bought have done it, but I think that ones we brought up have put on a good show and an attempt to.
“I think Said could do that. Again, that’s the challenge for him.”
Benrahma was not signed in time to face Tottenham on Sunday but could make his Hammers debut at home to Manchester City on October 24.
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