3 replacements West Ham should consider for Andriy Yarmolenko in January
West Ham winger Andriy Yarmolenko has been ruled out for six months after rupturing his Achilles tendon, claims the Independent.
The Ukrainian, who joined West Ham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, was stretchered off during the 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur at the London stadium on Saturday.
Andriy Yarmolenko, 28, starts his rehabilitation after undergoing a surgery. It is a massive blow for the Hammers, particularly with the 28-year-old beginning to show his true class in the Premier League.
After a slow start, Yarmolenko has recently impressed with his displays but he will be gutted with his latest injury setback. With the Ukrainian set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, here are three replacements Manuel Pellegrini should consider in January.
Brandley Kuwas (Heracles Almelo)
Brandley Kuwas has been making a lot of noise in the Eredivisie and already has four goals and an assist in eight league games for Heracles Almelo this season.
The Curacao international possesses the trickery to hurt the full-backs in the wide areas and is also a threat in front of the goal. Blessed with lightning speed and agility, Kuwas can play in a number of positions in the attack. He has great dribbling ability and creativity as well, which make him such a treat to watch.
The 26-year-old has the qualities to be a hit in the Premier League and West Ham must consider signing him on loan in January. Should he excel in the second half of the campaign, the Hammers can even make the deal permanent.
Christian Atsu (Newcastle United)
Christian Atsu is behind the likes of Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez, Josh Murphy and Kenedy in the Newcastle United pecking order and West Ham must consider bringing him on loan in January.
A diminutive attacker blessed with top speed and quick feet, Atsu can play on either flank and as an attacking midfielder. He isn’t the most technically gifted player but is an effective player to have in the squad. Due to his energy, work ethic and raw pace, the Ghanaian is always a great weapon to have on the bench as he has the ability to turn games around in one blink of an eye.
With Yarmolenko set to be sidelined for six months, Atsu would be a decent option to replace him at the London stadium.
Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad)
Mikel Oyarzabal rose through the Real Sociedad youth teams and is now a regular member of the senior squad.
Fleet-footed and an accurate crosser with a very good eye for the goal, Oyarzabal is adept at playing on the wings and also in the hole behind the centre-forward. The Under-21 Spanish international is a very good dribbler, has a hammer of a left foot and is a tricky player to deal with.
Read more: Pellegrini would be very wise to sign this 23-year-old Liverpool attacker on loan in January – opinion
Signing Oyarzabal on a permanent basis won’t be easy, hence, the Hammers must try getting him on loan.