West Ham opinion: West Ham should sign Joel Veltman
According to a report in the Daily Mail, Ajax’s Joel Veltman is looking to leave Ajax after spending his entire career at Amsterdam. Now 27, it’s perhaps time for him to look for a new challenge and the report suggests that West Ham could come knocking on the door.
Veltman was part of the Ajax squad that made it into the UEFA Champions League semi-final and was one of the unsung heroes of the treble-winning domestic season. Veltman can either play at right-back or at centre-back and is an extremely intelligent player like most Ajax graduates.
The Dutchman is also a full-fledged international, having earned 19 caps for the national team. Veltman still has some peak years ahead of him and will be hoping that he can get a new experience. West Ham could definitely use someone like Veltman, with Ryan Fredericks not having the best of seasons and Pablo Zabaleta being far from the player he once was.
West Ham made a terrible start to the last campaign and lost their first 4 games of the season. However, Pellegrini added the likes of Declan Rice to his midfield and that changed the course of their season.
West Ham have spent money over the last few seasons and are looking to break into the European spots, whether that be the Europa League or the Champions League.
Last season they finished in 10th place but will be hoping they make a better start this season. They have Manchester City in their very first game and will be hoping that they can make a positive start. Nothing would suggest that the Hammers mean business more than beating the reigning Champions.
Veltman would add great experience to the side without his age being a factor. His many outings in European competition are absolutely essential for West Ham, who are looking to make inroads into Europe.
Veltman would also suit Manuel Pellegrini’s style of football, which demands that there be a lot of possession of the football and Veltman’s been educated with the same principles at Ajax and calm bring a sense of calmness to the West Ham backline.
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Conclusion
The Hammers have done some good business in the last two summers with the signings of Pablo Fornals and Felipe Anderson and Veltman would be yet another signing in the right direction.