The Hammers faithful have been spoiled with talented attackers over the years, but few have had the same level of impact as Dimitri Payet. The Frenchman’s 18-month stint with the club will forever be remembered as one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
Payet joined West Ham from Marseille in the summer of 2015, and his impressive debut campaign in the Premier League earned him a reputation as a mercurial talent. He registered a total of 26 combined goals and assists, leaving fans in awe of his skill and creativity on the pitch. One of his most memorable moments was his stunning free-kick against Crystal Palace at the Boleyn Ground.
However, Payet’s time at the club came to an end when he handed in a transfer request and subsequently joined his former side Marseille for a fee of around £25m. Fast-forward to the present, and current boss Julen Lopetegui is relying on a new crop of attacking talents to turn around the team’s poor start to the season.
One of the players Lopetegui is pinning his hopes on is Jarrod Bowen, who was named club captain last season after a goal-laden campaign. However, the 27-year-old has struggled to make an impact alongside new signing Mohammed Kudus, with the Hammers currently sitting 15th in the league table.
Meanwhile, experienced forward Ajeti, who was offloaded by the club last year, has rediscovered his scoring touch at Swiss side FC Basel. He has netted six goals in all competitions this season, outscoring both Bowen and Kudus despite playing in a lower division.
In an effort to turn the team’s fortunes around, Lopetegui will be hoping that Bowen and Kudus can regain their form. A glance at the statistics reveals that both players have struggled to make an impact, with Bowen managing just three goals and two assists in 10 appearances, while Kudus has two goals and one assist. Comparatively, Ajeti’s six goals in 10 games at FC Basel are a stark reminder that their fortunes could have been different.
In conclusion, while Payet’s time at West Ham was a defining period in the club’s history, the current crop of attacking talents need to step up their game if the Hammers are to avoid a disappointing season. As the team struggles to find its footing, fans will be eagerly awaiting a return to form from Bowen and Kudus, and hoping that Lopetegui can guide the team to a successful campaign.
