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3 Reasons Why This 25-year Old Polish Striker Is A Better Option For West Ham Than Jermain Defoe

Lukasz Teodorczyk
Lukasz Teodorczyk

Why West Ham Should Sign Teodorczyk Instead Of Jermain Defoe

West Ham United, this season, have had an underwhelming Premier League campaign. The Hammers, after scaling unprecedented heights last time around have fallen from grace and find themselves at 12th place in the league standings.

While the departure of Dimitri Payet in January has been one of the major reasons for their struggles, the other bigger issue has been their inability to score goals. All of their summer signings in the attack – Simone Zaza, Jonathan Calleri, Ashley Fletcher, have failed miserably, while Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll have spent most parts of the season on the treatment tables.

So it is no surprise that Bilic is going all out to bring in a proven striker in the summer. One of the names that has been doing the rounds a lot is former Hammers’ star Jermain Defoe. The 34-year old veteran has had another strong season for Sunderland who have been relegated to the Championship.

Another player who has emerged as a target for the West Londoners in recent weeks is RSC Anderlecht’s Lukasz Teodorczyk. The Polish striker has been in excellent form for the Belgian side and has been looked at by the likes of Liverpool and Everton as well.

While both the strikers would prove to be excellent additions, here are three reasons why Teodorczyk could prove to be a better option for West Ham ahead of Defoe:

Better Goalscoring Record

Defoe has scored 15 goals in 38 appearances across all competitions this term and has been the Black Cats’ best player along with Jordan Pickford. He also has set 2 goals up for Sunderland, but could not save his team from relegation.

Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe

Teodorczyk, on the other hand, has netted 28 goals from 50 games in all competitions and has registered 5 assists as well. He has been the driving force behind Anderlecht’s excellent season that sees them at the top of the Jupiler League and has also helped them make it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

The Polish international has scored a goal every 134 minutes of football that he has played, which is a significant improvement on Defoe’ 219 minutes per goal. While the Englishman still has what it takes to succeed at this level, Teodorczyk will bring in more number of goals for the Hammers.

Long Term Solution

Defoe, at 34 years of age, may still be performing brilliantly, but he cannot be considered as a long-term solution by any means. He has shown that he is still extremely fit and can perform at the top level week in week out, but that will aid the Hammers for a season or maybe two more seasons at the most.

Teodorczyk is only 25 years of age and has grown into a potent marksman already. With his best years still ahead of him, the Polish striker would definitely be a better investment as West Ham will reap the rewards of his growth and development for years to come.

Lesser Wages

Jermain Defoe has a contract with Sunderland until the summer of 2019 and is on a wage of £80,000-per-week. And in all likelihood, the veteran striker will demand a six-figure weekly salary if West Ham do complete a move for him in the summer.

While the Hammers are capable of affording such wages, Teodorczyk will cost them much lesser in terms of weekly wages. He may not have the experience in the English league, but would certainly be a worthy risk for West Ham, if he manages to hit the form that he has shown this season for Anderlecht.