Home » English Premier League » Can This Ivory Coast International Lift West Ham’s Season If He Joins In January?

Can This Ivory Coast International Lift West Ham’s Season If He Joins In January?

The Hammers secured a narrow victory over Burnley on Wednesday night, escaping a slip to the drop zone in the process. However, it doesn’t remove anything from the fact that the London club have been very poor this term.

Their defence remains their Achilles heel thus far, as it has conceded 31 goals – with only Swansea (34) and Hull City (35) shipping more. West Ham’s failure to recruit defensive signings during the off-season has backfired, and they are seeking for an escape route when the window re-opens in January.

To make up for their defensive shortcomings, the Hammers have identified Sunderland’s Lamine Kone as a winter transfer target, and they are reportedly ready to trigger his £18million buy-out clause and secure his services for the 2nd half of the season.

But is the Ivory Coast international the right defender to help lift West Ham far above the relegation zones?

The 27-year-old arrived the Stadium of Light in January 2016 from Ligue 1 side Lorient, putting pen to a 4-year deal and immediately becoming a key part of the Black Cats defence under former manager Sam Allardyce.

Kone played all of Sunderland’s last 15 Premier League games of last season, providing steel to their defence and even weighing in 2 crucial goals that helped the club’s survival cause against Everton in May.

Despite expressing a desire to leave at the beginning of the 2016-17 term, he decided to remain with the club, putting pen to paper for a deal that doesn’t expire until the summer of 2021.

Lamine Kone transfer latest

Thus far, Kone has played 14 Premier League games for Sunderland, but has only been able to help them to 3 victories and 2 draws, with the team shipping 24 goals with him in the lineup.

However, Sunderland’s general poor form doesn’t – in any way – reflect Kone’s performances, as he has won 11 tackles and 33 of 51 headed duels, made 27 interceptions, 103 clearances and 7 blocks. Per game, he averages 10 defensive actions and completes 70% of his passes.

Those numbers are only rivalled by Winston Reid who averages 14 defensive actions per 90 minutes and has won 14 tackles and 27 of 46 headed duels, made 45 interceptions, 115 clearances and 14 blocks. Ogbonna and Collins do not come close to the solidity the French centre-half offers.

Lamine can provide the defensive steel West Ham currently lack, as he is strong in the air and has a high level of concentration. Those 2 factors are badly missing at the Hammers’ back, with most of the goals they have conceded coming from individual errors, lack of aerial strength and allowing opposition forwards too much space.

With his strength, he has proven to be a handful for strikers, and that was in display against Chelsea on Wednesday night when he successfully kept Costa’s threat at bay and made light of the Spaniard’s strength.

Lamine Kone is the perfect answer to West Ham’s defensive shortcomings and is definitely a steal for £18million considering the qualities he possesses. If Slaven Bilic manages to land him, not only is relegation very unlikely, a mid-table finish is a huge possibility.